Synthesis and characterization of slip additive functioning as an intercalating agent

The packaging industry, for which polyolefin is one of the key materials, demands faster production speeds to remain global competitiveness. With these increased line speeds the polyolefin films are faced with more demanding performance requirements where controlling the friction between the equipment and travelling to film surface is critical to the successful packaging application. The easy and fast processability can be achieved by incorporating a slip agent into the polymer matrix, which migrates to the film surface resulting in reduction of the coefficient of friction (COF). Though reduced coefficient of friction fastens the production, the quality of film obtained in terms of its mechanical, thermal, optical, rheological and barrier properties are doubtful. The property enhancement of the film can be achieved by incorporation of filler into polymer matrix, the most common being organoclay. However addition of two different additives to get the desired results not only poses economic concerns but also lead to some unwanted effects due to different chemical and physical properties involved. To address this issue, the synthesis of a dual functional additive which imparts two functions at the same time makes a way for cost effective easy process. So, we have synthesized a dual functional additive named ‘(E)-N-(2-aminoethyl) octadec-9-enamide’ which induces slip into film as well as modify the clay and acts as an intercalating agent. The synthesis was confirmed by FTIR, NMR, MS and CHN analysis and the COF was determined to ascertain slip properties. The characterization of organoclay obtained by incorporation of this additive by XRD and TGA shows its intercalating abilities.