Slip and antiblock additives:

surface medication for film

and sheet
Modifying the surface of polymer film and sheet through
the use of slip and antiblock additives can either improve
performance in fabrication or downstream packaging
equipment, or the end-use performance of the polymer.
Jennifer Markarian explains.

Slip and antiblock additives modify the include primary amides, secondary amides, migrate through a PP-copolymer skin layer,
surface of polymer film and sheet to improve and bisamides. Erucamide is the most widely but not through a PP-homopolymer core
performance in fabrication equipment, used amide, followed by oleamide. When layer, notes Adam Maltby, plastics applications
downstream packaging equipment, or end-use. choosing an amide slip, formulators consider manager at Croda.
Slips and antiblocks are most commonly used migration rate, efficiency in reducing CoF and Besides CoF reduction, thermal oxidative
in polyolefins, especially polyethylene. The thermal stability. stability is becoming more important as
additives are also used in polypropylene, PVC, Migration rates vary with amide type, polymer processors increasingly use polymers with
polystyrene, nylon, and PET. Applications type, slip concentration and use temperature. higher processing temperatures, comments
include bags, wrap and packaging, with both Primary, unsaturated erucamide and oleamide Keith Hughes, global marketing manager
single-layer and multi-layer constructions. For migrate quickly and are the most efficient slip for thermoplastics at Chemtura. Oxidative
many uses, additives must have appropriate agents for polyolefins, typically able to reduce degradation of slip can result in slip property
direct or indirect food contact approvals. Slip CoF to 0.2 or less. Larger-molecule amides loss, increased colour, and odour. Amides with
and antiblock may be added directly by the with very slow migration rates may be used higher thermal stability are also less volatile
resin producer, but are also commonly added in multi-layer films to limit slip effect to one and will remain in the polymer even at higher
by the processor via masterbatches in order to layer. For example, secondary amides like processing temperatures. Saturated versions of
tailor additive levels for specific needs and allow oleyl palmitamide and stearyl erucamide will erucamide and oleamide offer better thermal
accurate dosing at low levels.

Slip
Slip additives reduce friction between films and
between film and converting equipment, which
improves movement through extrusion lines
and downstream packaging operations. The
effect of slip additives is measured by sliding
one film across another and calculating from
the resistive force a static or kinetic Coefficient
of Friction (CoF). Slip agents cause film to slide
more easily and have a lower CoF.

Amide slips
Fatty acid amides are the most commonly
used slip additives. Because amides are
incompatible with the polymer, they migrate Slip and antiblock additives are used in a wide range of packaging applications.
or bloom to the surface and form a crystalline (Photo: Clariant Masterbatches)
structure that decreases friction. Amide slips

Plastics Additives & Compounding November/December 2007 ISSN1464-391X/07 © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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 Slip/antiblock

Diatomaceous Earth (Specialty

Minerals)
Figure 1:Thermogravimetric analysis of amide types. (Source: Amide Sourcebook,
Chemtura Corporation)

stability than their unsaturated counterparts, consistent CoF before and after lamination, helps to mediate cost, notes Ampacet.
and, in general, erucamides are more and is more cost-effective than non-migratory Multibase’s ultra-high molecular weight
thermally stable than oleamides. Secondary slips, says the company. (UHMW) poly-dimethyl siloxane finds use
amides and bisamides are even more thermally Excessive slip, whether caused by unexpected in areas such as stretch films, thin films with
stable. They are used in the higher temperature interactions or by overdosing, can cause very high packaging speeds, and in film
cast film process and in engineering polymers significant problems. These include powdery extrusion of very tacky resins that benefit
such as styrenics (see Figure 1). Croda’s new residue on rollers, printing problems, or ‘wet from immediate CoF reduction, says Jean-
Incroslip G has higher thermal stability than blocking’, in which excess slip makes the Pierre Patte, performance enhancement
previous grades, resulting in greater colour film surface very smooth, allowing layers to market leader with Multibase, a Dow
stability and durability on the film surface, fuse together. “A very common failure mode Corning company. UHMW siloxanes do
useful for maintaining CoF over a long storage we see is processors adding too much slip,” not affect sealability and are acceptable
life, notes Mr. Maltby. Croda’s Incroslip amide comments Brian McKinley, strategic business for most printing requirements. Although
grades undergo additional processing steps manager of films at Ampacet. Because slip UHMW siloxanes do not migrate, they
that improve stability and colour and remove migrates to the surface, thicker films need may transfer from one layer to another
taste and odour. Although these grades were lower dosage levels. Slip-only masterbatches contacting layer in a roll of multi-layer film.
originally developed for water bottle closures, make it easy for processors to adjust slip level
they are also finding use in organoleptically with film thickness changes, as well as with
sensitive film packaging such as cheese wrap. changes in resin, pigment and other additives.
Antiblock
When evaluating any additive, including slips, “Single-component masterbatches have greater Antiblocks, as their name suggests, prevent
the formulation should be tested as a whole in flexibility and are preferred by processors blocking - adhesion of one layer of film to
order to understand potential interactions and that have many formulations. Combined another, caused by contact under pressure
optimize additive levels, advise suppliers. Polar masterbatches, with slip and antiblock or and heat. Blocking makes it difficult
additives may interact with amides, slowing multiple components, are used by processors
the expected bloom rate. Other additives may with a limited number of formulations or
speed bloom rate, resulting in too much slip at with feeder limitations,” explains Alam Shah,
the surface. Some antiblocks may absorb amide director of technology at Spartech.
slips. Migratory additives like stearates, antistats,
or antifogging agents can compete with slips Non-migratory slips
for space on the film surface. “Formulating is Although amides are entrenched in most
often a trial-and-error procedure. For example, applications because of their high efficiency
a processor may need to adjust slip level first to and good cost structure, non-migratory,
obtain the desired CoF, then add in antistat and high-molecular weight organic materials
see what effect it has,” explains Mr. Maltby. like siloxanes are being used in speciality
Besides interactions with other additives, applications. Non-migratory slips offer
amide slips can be affected by downstream immediate CoF reduction that is not
processes such as adhesive laminating, which affected by high storage or use temperatures
changes the film’s polarity and draws slip such as in shrink tunnels or hot-filling. Optibloc from Specialty Minerals offers
away from the surface. Ampacet’s new slip Non-migratory slips can be used in the good clarity and antiblocking qualities.
masterbatch for laminated films maintains a outer layers of multi-layer film, which

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 Slip/antiblock

to unwind a film roll or open a bag. to provide a balance of antiblocking effect

Inorganic mineral antiblocks, dispersed and clarity, says supplier Imerys. Ampacet
throughout the film, roughen the film introduced a clarity antiblock masterbatch
surface on a microscopic level so that containing a spherical, inorganic antiblock
adjacent film layers do not stick to each that reduces haze compared to DE. Another
other. Inorganic antiblocks, such as talc masterbatch combines this antiblock with a
and silica, are widely used. Formulators PE nucleator to decrease haze significantly
may also use organic antiblocks, and improve gloss, says Mr. McKinley. He
including amides, stearates, silicones, and adds that Ampacet also offers a masterbatch
polytetrafluoroethylene. that combines DE with a large-molecule
Talc antiblock from Imerys. organic antiblock to provide both slip and
Inorganic antiblocks antiblocking properties with a step up in
Talc, the most widely used inorganic antiblock clarity compared to DE alone.
with about 40% of the global market volume, In addition to clarity, interactions with other
is particularly popular in North America and yield better clarity. “Managing the particle additives are a concern. Antiblocks can
Asia-Pacific, notes the Townsend consultancy. size distribution and top size helps balance absorb additives such as antioxidants, slip
Diatomaceous earth (DE), which is a natural the optical and antiblocking properties of the or processing aids. Natural silicas have very
silica mineral, has about a quarter of the film,” says Vipul Joshi, marketing manager low additive interaction, while synthetic
global market and is widely used in Europe. at Specialty Minerals. Traditionally, synthetic silicas and uncoated talc have higher additive
Synthetic silica has another quarter of the and natural silicas or organic antiblocks absorption. Surface-coated talcs, such as
market and is widely used in China and the have been used for clarity applications, but Specialty Mineral’s Polybloc®, have both
Asia-Pacific region. Other minerals such as formulators have other options. Specialty reduced absorption of other additives and
kaolin and calcium carbonate are also used. Minerals offers Optibloc®, a proprietary improved dispersion. Grades of Imerys’
In clear films, an antiblock’s effect on film mineral designed for excellent clarity and calcined and uncalcined kaolins are designed
clarity can be just as important as preventing antiblocking, in three different particle size for particularly low interaction with slip and
blocking. Demand for antiblocks for high grades. Specialty Minerals is also introducing processing aids by adjusting particle size,
clarity films has been increasing, driven by a next-generation product, Optibloc® 300. surface area and other attributes, says Dr.
growth in flexible packaging and shrink “Optibloc 300 will offer the antiblocking Cesar Agra-Gutierrez, technical development
film, as well as the use of high clarity resin capabilities of silicas with higher optical manager for film and packaging at Imerys.
technologies such as metallocene-catalyzed clarity.” says Mr. Joshi. Unimin Corporation’s Compounders and processors may also
LLDPE, says Mr. McKinley. Clarity is related high clarity Minbloc® antiblocking consider mineral hardness. “Abrasion
to refractive index, particle size distribution additives are produced from derivatives of caused by antiblocks can be an issue
and loading level. Higher clarity is achieved high purity natural mineral feedstocks that in masterbatch and film production,”
when the refractive index of the antiblock offer near transparency in optical grade notes Mr. Joshi of Specialty Minerals. As
most closely matches the refractive index of polyolefin resins and are distinguished by the softest natural mineral, talc is least
the polymer. The challenge for inorganic lack of absorption or interference with abrasive to equipment (see Table 1).
antiblock is that larger antiblock particles have other process additives, says the company. Natural silica products typically contain some
higher blocking resistance but smaller particles Kaolins are used in PET and polyolefins crystalline silica, which in fine-powder form is

Table 1: Mineral hardness

Mohs hardness
Talc 1
Calcium carbonate 3
Optibloc® 3-6
Synthetic silica 5-7
Natural silica (DE) 5.5-6

Kaolin antiblock additive. (Imerys) Uncalcined (hydrous) kaolin 2.5

Calcined kaolin 4.5

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 Slip/antiblock

Slip and antiblock for PET antiblock masterbatches for PLA film and
and PLA sheet sheet include optical brighteners. These
masterbatches have food contact approval and
Slip and antiblock use in sheet is growing with are certified as suitable for composting, notes
the use of new polymer grades such as speciality Mr. Weigl. PolyOne’s new OnCap Bio additive
PET and PETG, speciality PP, and PLA, masterbatches and Spartech’s masterbatches
notes Kirk Jacobs, business director at Clariant include slip and antiblock masterbatches for
Masterbatches. He notes that masterbatch biodegradable polymers such as PLA.
producers play a significant role in the PET
sheet market, since PET resin suppliers do Contacts:
Synthetic silica from Specialty not usually formulate specifically for sheet. Akzo Nobel
Minerals. Slip and antiblock prevent sheet from sticking Tel: +1 312 544 7000
to rollers during initial fabrication, improve Website: www.akzonobel-polymerchemicals.com
stacking of sheets, aid in mould release after Ampacet
thermoforming, and allow ‘de-nesting’ of Website: www.ampacet.com
considered a respiratory hazard that requires stacked, thermoformed packages. Maintaining Chemtura Corporation
controlled handling during compounding. high clarity, along with slip and antiblock effects Tel: +1 203 573 2000
World Minerals, part of the Imerys Group, and printability, is key. Website: www.chemtura.com
recently introduced Superfloss CSC, a Suppliers have developed new and improved Clariant Masterbatches
DE antiblock that contains less than 1% products for this growing market. Croda’s Tel: +1 401 438 4080
crystalline silica, for processors desiring low- Incromax PET 100, a slip additive designed Website: www.clariant.com
crystalline-silica antiblocks. for PET and PLA, recently obtained US Croda
FDA food contact approval and is in the Tel: +44 1405 860551 or
Organic amide antiblocks process of extending its food approval status +1 732 417 0800 (US)
For clarity applications, organic amide in Europe. While amides tend to produce Website: www.croda.com
antiblocks are occasionally used alone colour in PET due to catalyst interactions Dow Corning
but are more often used to reduce the and high processing temperatures, Incromax Tel: +33 4 76 67 12 12
inorganic antiblock level. Amides must does not produce colour, says the company. Website: www.multibase.com
have time to migrate to the surface before Clariant introduced CESA®-block 1501 for Imerys
antiblocking and slip properties take effect. PET and 1601 for PETG, and also developed Tel: +44 1726 818 000
In soft polymers like EVA where inorganic customer-specific masterbatches. Sukano Website: www.imerys.com
antiblock particles are not as effective, amides offers a highly concentrated, combined slip PolyOne
do work well, notes Mr. Maltby. Of the and antiblock masterbatch for PET, produced Tel: +32 83 660 211
amides, stearamide and behanamide provide using proprietary compounding technology Website: www.polyone.com
the most efficient antiblocking properties. that maintains high clarity, says Thomas Rio Tinto Minerals
Behanamide is used in BOPP film, for Weigl, sales and marketing director at Sukano. Tel: +1 303 713 5055
example, to provide slip and antiblocking Sukano notes that slip and antiblock additives Website: www.riotinto.com
properties while maintaining clarity. have several advantages over silicone coatings Spartech
used to reduce CoF of PET packaging. Tel: +1 724 379 2839
Silicone coatings can interfere with printing Website: www.spartech.com
and other downstream processes, contaminate Specialty Minerals
regrind, and are restricted from food contact Tel: +1 800 801 1031
applications in some European countries Website: www.specialtyminerals.com
because of environmental, health and safety Sukano
concerns, explains Mr. Weigl. Tel: +41 44 787 57 77
Biopolymers like PLA are beginning to Website: www.sukano.com
grow in packaging. Key factors for additives Townsend
used in PLA include compatibility with the Tel: +1 281 873 8733
resin to maintain clarity and obtaining the Website: www.townsendpolymer.com
appropriate, controlled rate of migration, Unimin
says Mr. Jacobs. New CESA-slip, CESA- Tel: +1 203 996 8880
Diatomaceous Earth (Specialty block, and CESA-nucleant masterbatches for Website: www.antiblocks.com
Minerals) biopolymers like PLA have been developed World Minerals
by Clariant for the PLA packaging and film Tel: +1 800 893 4445
industry, adds Mr. Jacobs. Sukano’s slip and Website: www.worldminerals.com

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