Ticona : New LCPs for Barrier Packaging
Ticona, USA has introduced a new family of liquid-crystal polymers specifically for barrier food and medical packaging. New Vectran LCPs have lower processing temperatures to permit coextrusion with conventional packaging resins in multilayer films and rigid, thermoformed packaging for retort pouches, closures, trays, and lids. Vectran LCPs can be processed on existing extrusion equipment at temperatures as low as 428 F. They are highly impermeable to oxygen, water vapor and aromas, which allows them to be used in very thin layers of only 2 to 5 microns (0.08 to 0.2 mils). Their moisture barrier is said to exceed that of many fluoropolymers. Their oxygen barrier does not decrease with increased humidity as occurs with EVOH. Vectran reportedly retains barrier properties after retorting at 248 F or higher temperatures. It also withstands aggressive chemicals that can degrade EVOH and PVDC.