A range of LLDPE films with polyisobutylene (PIB) content from 2-8% was manufactured using a Killion blown film extrusion system and a cast film extrusion system. The films were aged at 25, 35 and 45 C for up to 28 days, to enable tack (cling) development. The results show that tack, in both blown and cast films, improved significantly with ageing at increased storage temperatures and at higher film blow up ratios. DSC analysis showed only a slight decrease in film crystallinity with increasing PIB concentration. The film tensile modulus, elongation and tear properties in both MD and TD were not significantly affected by an increase in PIB concentration.

Polyethylene films, prepared from a range of mLLDPE, LLDPE, and ULDPE resins containing 4% polyisobutylene (PIB) from a masterbatch, are manufactured using a Killion cast film extrusion system. FTIR, DSC, and mechanical analysis techniques are used to investigate the effect of comonomer type, density, and melt flow index (MFI) on the mechanical performance, orientation, and crystallinity of these films. The study established that comonomer type and MFI are the greatest factors influencing the mechanical performance and crystallinity. Crystallinity has been found to be the most influential factor governing PIB migration in these films and this in turn is related to polymer type, density, and MFI.

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The effect of molecular weight on the migratory characteristics of polyisobutylene (PIB) additive from the bulk to the surface of a range of monolayer and multilayer extruded polyethylene films has been analyzed by FTIR-ATR and peel cling analysis. Migration rates are shown to be higher for lower molecular weight PIB additive, and cling strength increases as the PIB molecular weight increases.

A range of EVA-mLLDPE-EVA coextruded films, with polyisobutylene (PIB) masterbatch content of 0-20% and vinyl acetate (VA) comonomer content of 6, 12, and 18%, is manufactured. The films are aged at 45 C for up to 28 days to enable tack (cling) development. The results show that film tack strength improves significantly with aging. Increased VA concentration in the surface layer also shows significant improvement in film tack strength. The film tensile strength, elongation, and tear properties in both machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD) are not significantly affected by increase in PIB concentration. Increased VA content shows slight improvement in MD mechanical performance of the films, although TD properties are relatively unaffected.