Effects of ozone exposure on the structural, mechanical and barrier properties of select plastic packaging films

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of ozone (O3) gas exposure at various concentrations and treatment times on structural, mechanical and barrier properties of polyethylene and polyamide films were investigated. Changes in the structure of the films were monitored using an FT‐IR spectrometer. The results showed that O3 treatment affected polyethylene and polyamide films differently. While O3 treatment caused formation of oxygen‐containing functional groups and degradation of polymeric chains in polyethylene films, O3 treatment of polyamide films significantly increased the –C–N– stretch observed at 1125 cm−1 in the FT‐IR spectra. The changes in the mechanical properties of polyethylene films depended on the O3 treatment conditions (temperature and O3 concentration were the most significant), but an increase in tensile strength of polyamide films was observed regardless of the treatment conditions. Permeability to O2 for both types of films decreased with increasing O3 treatment time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.