Anti-blocking in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) film applications
Achieving economies of scale in the production of plastic films while maintaining film clarity and transparency is critical for PET, PP, and PE film manufacturers. Grace’s portfolio of anti-blocking agents brings manufacturing efficiencies and is uniquely engineered for the following applications:
- Packaging films
- Food packaging
- Generic
- Industrial films
- Medical films & medical devices
- Agricultural films
- Release and protective/transfer films
- Precise printing
- Solar panel back sheets
- Electronics – insulation
- Optical – commodity
- Other
Synthetic silica anti-blocking technology for PET, PP, PE, BOPP and BOPET films
Engineered to prevent layers of polymer or plastic films from sticking together, Grace’s SYLOBLOC® silicas are highly efficient anti-blocking agents that enhance the film’s surface micro-roughness to aid in anti-blocking and anti-slipping. Grace’s silica portfolio includes both plain and physical blends with slip agents in integrated or melt-in form. SYLOBLOC® silicas can also be used as specialty plastic additives for plate-out protection, pigment dispersion, mold release, and as grinding agents and carriers for liquid additives (dry liquids)
Advantages in polymer films and customer manufacturing processes
SYLOBLOC® silica anti-blocking agents are synthetic amorphous silica with purity exceeding 99%. Not classified as toxic, SYLOBLOC® silica provides several advantages including:
- High efficiency - low concentrations needed to attain desired effects
- Excellent dispersibility and high film clarity
- FDA and BGA compliance for food contact
- Consistent and reproducible product quality
Combining silica with organic additives such as fatty acid amides can offer additional performance benefits to the SYLOBLOC® silica anti-blocking agent product line. Porosity, average particle size, number of organic additives, and other physical characteristics can also be adapted to meet specific requirements.
SYLOBLOC® silica applications and grades
Specific (PET, PP, PE) and Combination Grades Available
Our anti-blocking family includes a wide range of engineered silica for the plastic films industry and are approved in nearly all licensed polyethylene and polypropylene technologies.
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Technology
Application
Key recommended products
Slurry Process
<20µm
SYLOBLOC® K200 silica
>20µm – <50µm
SYLOBLOC® E300 silica
SYLOBLOC® 44 silica
SYLOBLOC® 46 silica
Masterbatch Process
Clear films
SYLOBLOC® S200 silica
SYLOBLOC® 35 silica
Matt films
SYLOBLOC® 47 silica
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Technology
Application
Key recommended products
Mono Layer film (CPP, IPP)
<20 µm (0.8 mil)
SYLOBLOC® 35 silica
SYLOBLOC® S 200
>20 µm (0.8 mil) – <70 µm (1.75 mil)
SYLOBLOC® 45 silica
SYLOBLOC® 45B silica
SYLOBLOC® 47 silica
>70 µm (2.75 mil)
SYLOBLOC® 41 silica
SYLOBLOC® 41B silica
Multi-Layer Films (OPP, BOPP)
Skin Layer
SYLOBLOC® S200 silica
SYLOBLOC® 25B silica
Core Layer
SYLOBLOC® 45 silica
SYLOBLOC® 45B silica
Metallized Films
SYLOBLOC® 45 silica
SYLOBLOC® 45B silica
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Technology
Application
Key recommended products
Both LLPDE and LPDE
Film thickness <20 µm
(0.8 mil)
SYLOBLOC® S200 silica
Film thickness 20 µm (0.8 mil) - 70 µm (1.75 mil)
SYLOBLOC® P05 silica
SYLOBLOC® 45 silica
SYLOBLOC® 45B silica
Film thickness >70 µm
(2.75 mil)
SYLOBLOC® 41B silica
SYLOBLOC® P09 silica
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Combination grades consist of physical blends of plain anti-blocking silica grades with one or more slipping agents. Our product portfolio includes some “out of shelf” grades based on specific silica/slipping aid(s) ratio. Customized blends can be developed to suit your specific needs and requirements. A Grace team member can assist with providing additional information to help determine which grade or customized solution would be best for your application.
Grace SYLOBLOC® silica anti-blocking portfolio includes several other grades not explicitly mentioned in the product selector above.