EnHance Blown Film Sasol Performance Chemicals EnHance – Blown Film EnHance Blown Film EnHance is a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon developed for use in the blown film industry where it provides processing and product benefits. EnHance acts as a viscosity modifier during the extrusion of polypropylene and polyethylene, resulting in lower power consumption, and improved bubble stability during extrusion haul-off. EnHance is highly compatible with polyolefins and at the recommended loadings is dissolved in the polymer matrix. In situations where downstream equipment capacity allows faster line speeds the addition of EnHance allows increased outputs to be achieved; outputs are typically increased by between 10 % and 25 % with no adverse effects on physical or mechanical properties. At the recommended dosage, the addition of EnHance has no adverse effect on optical properties, ink adhesion and printability or sealability of film. EnHance is supplied in pastille form. EnHance FG can be used in food contact applications. Benefits • Reduced power consumption during extrusion • Higher outputs can be achieved (if downstream equipment capacity allows faster line speeds) • Improved bubble stability • Better gauge control • Improved pigment dispersion • The addition of EnHance allows lower MFI grades to be processed at comparable rates and with similar power demands as typical when processing higher MFI film grades. Lower MFI (i.e., higher molecular weight) material gives better mechanical properties at the same gauge thickness than higher MFI grades. Product Characteristics* EnHance EnHance FG Product form Pastilles CAS number 8002-74-2 Transportation classification Not a dangerous substance Packaging 20 kg Product stability (at 125 °C) Drop melting point Colour Viscosity (at 135 °C) Molecular weight * These are not to be considered specifications. > 24 hours 112 °C 117 °C 1.5 (ASTM) +17 (Saybolt) 10 cP 13 cP 880 1110 EnHance – Blown Film Case Studies Overview* Material EnHance Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 70 / 30 % LDPE / LLDPE HDPE PP – 2% – 2% – 2% Motor current (A) 50 30 (-40 %) 145 110 (-24 %) 35 34 (-3 %) Screw speed (rpm) 85 110 143 170 72 91 Freeze line height (mm) 32 30 150 150 Lay flat width (mm) 65 65 120 120 740 740 Gauge (um) 80 80 22 22 25 25 Output (kg/h) 51 54 (+6 %) 100 126 (+26 %) 18 25.7 (+43 %) * These values represent typical results observed and may be considered an indication of the advantages offered by the correct usage of EnHance. General Guidelines It is essential that proper processing conditions be used in order to take full advantage of the benefits offered by EnHance. The following general guidelines are recommended. 1. Typical concentrations of EnHance in polyolefins are between 1 to 2 %. In certain cases levels of up to 4 % can be used. 2. EnHance can be added to the polymer prior to extrusion using standard methods currently used to add and mix master batches to polyolefins. Good mixing is necessary to achieve consistent results. The use of hopper mixers or tumble blenders (minimum 20 minutes) is sufficient when using EnHance. “Hand” mixing is not recommended. 3. The initial addition of EnHance may result in the appearance of black specks in the film. This is a result of a purging effect as it cleans the screw; it is not the EnHance degrading. After about 20 minutes it will disappear and the screw will remain clean. After this initial purging it is typical not to see black specks for months with continuous use of EnHance. 4. The addition of EnHance will provide a drop in extruder amps almost immediately. 5. Output may drop (usually it increases without changing any process parameters). This is due to the reduced melt viscosity following the addition of EnHance (this is observed as a reduction in melt pressure). Increasing the screw speed will result in increased output while still maintaining the power saving. Alternatively decreasing the temperature profile by 5 to 10 °C (depending on the profile being run) will result in increased output. At Your Service Sasol Performance Chemicals Wax Division Worthdamm 13–27 20457 Hamburg, Germany Global Contacts Europe North America Latin America Asia-Pacific Africa wax@de.sasol.com wax@us.sasol.com wax@us.sasol.com wax@ap.sasol.com wax@sasol.com www.sasol.com Source reference Sasol is a registered trademark of Sasol Ltd. Product trademarks displayed in this document are the property of the Sasol Group of companies, except where it is clear from the context that not. Users of this document are not permitted to use these trademarks without the prior written consent of their proprietor. All rights not expressly granted are reserved. Reference to trademarks used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor should it give the impression that products of other companies cannot be used. Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is based on Sasol’s knowledge and experience at the time of its creation. We reserve the right to make any changes to this document or the products described therein, as a result of technological progress or developments. This information implies no liability or other legal responsibility on our part, including with regard to existing thirdparty patent rights. In particular, no guarantee or warranty of properties in the legal sense is implied. The customer is not exempted from the obligation to conduct careful inspection and testing of incoming products. All our business transactions are governed exclusively by our General Business Terms (https://www.sasolgermany.de/de/agb/). EnHance – Blown Film 09/19 Cover: AdobeStock/Aleksei
