Development of high barrier multilayer sheets for thermoforming

本项目是关于用于热成型的高阻隔多层板的开发。多层兴趣结构为PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP。由于EVOH是昂贵的，并且由于板材加工过程中的板材修剪，从成本和环境的角度来看，它的替换和/或回收可能是非常有益的。这个项目的合作公司是E. Hofmann Plastics Inc.，这是一家中型的加拿大公司，总部位于安大略省的Orangeville，从事多层薄板的生产和食品包装容器的热成型。它寻求降低多层结构的成本，并更好地回收其装饰。因此，该项目的目标是开发基于PP的多层（或单层共混）板材结构，具有用于容器热成型的高氧阻隔性能。将考虑各种策略：a.在多层结构中使用EVOH层并使其最小化；聚丙烯与EVOH在单层和多层片材中的共混/可回收性；在EVOH中应用基于粘土分散PP或粘土的纳米复合材料；e.除采用被动阻挡材料外，还采用主动阻挡材料；采用纳米颗粒溶液涂层工艺。除了屏障性能外，屏障片的穿刺能力将作为上述技术的结果进行评估。我们将研究材料参数（树脂，纳米复合材料，添加剂等）及其在多层或混合单层片结构中的创新布局对基于这些片的热成型封装的可加工性，微观结构和性能的影响。预计从该研究项目中获得的成果和创新将直接受益于支持组织和加拿大塑料工业。培养高素质人才及出版刊物，有助加强理工学院的研究优势。

This project is about the development of high barrier multilayer sheets to be used in thermoforming. The multilayer structure of interest is PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP. Since EVOH is expensive and because of sheet trims from the sheet process, its replacement and/or recycling could be highly beneficial both from cost and environmental points of view. The collaborating company in this project is E. Hofmann Plastics Inc., a medium size Canadian company based in Orangeville, Ontario and engaged in the production of multilayer sheets and their thermoforming into containers for food packaging. It seeks reducing the cost of the multilayer structures and better recyclability of its trims. Thus, the objective in this project is to develop PP based multilayer (or monolayer blend) sheet structures with high O2 barrier properties for containers thermoforming. Various strategies will be considered: a. Using an EVOH layer and its minimization in a multilayer structure;b. Blending of PP with EVOH in a mono and multilayer sheet/recyclability;c. Using nanocomposites based on clay dispersed PP or clay in EVOH;d. Using active barrier material in addition to passive barrier material;e. Using a nanoparticulate solution coating process.In addition to barrier properties, the puncture ability of the barrier sheet will be evaluated as a consequence of the above techniques. We will study of the effect of materials parameters (resins, nanocomposites, additives, etc.) and their innovative layout in multilayer or blend monolayer sheet structures on the processability, microstructure and performances of thermoformed packages based on those sheets. It is expected that the results and innovations obtained from this research project will benefit directly to the supporting organisation and the Canadian plastics industry in general. Training of highly qualified personnel and publications will enhance Polytechnique's research edge.