Process utilizing specially modified conventional equipment, with changes in process temperature, pressure, and cooling requirements produces ultra thin 1.56 micron /0.0614 mil/ thick polyethylene film

Cox, D. W., Jr.

Struble, A. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

May 1971	 Brief 71-10135 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lewis Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield,' Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the. Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Ultra Thin Gage Plastic Film 
The problem: 
To devise a means of producing ultra thin 1.56 
micron (0.0614 mu) thick polyethylene film. Because 
conventional equipment is not designed for this ap-
plication, the process of extruding extremely thin 
plastic films is time-consuming and laborious, and die 
blowouts are frequently encountered. Consequently, 
films of less than 8.4 microns (0.33 mil) are seldom 
made, particularly in polyethylene, and gage films 
produced commercially are generally only 8.9 to 
10.2 microns (0.35 to 0.40 mils). 
The solution: 
A new process utilizing specially modified con-
ventional equipment, with changes in process tem-
perature, pressure, anc cooling requirements. 
How it's done: 
An experimental resin and specially modified equip-
ment are used to extrude layflat tubular polyethylene 
film in gages down to 1.56 microns (0.0614 mil). 
The ultimate tensile strength of the film is 52 MN/m2 
(7550 psi), an increase of almost 300% over con-
ventional gage film from this same resin. The re-
sults, in general, are films with approximately the 
same strength in both directions (length and width), 
with good sealibility and other physical properties.
Notes: 
1. The following documentation may be obtained 
from: 
National Technical Information Service 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Single copy price $3.00 
(or microfiche $0.95) 
References: 
NASA-CR-274 (N65-30186), Ultra Thin Gauge 
Polymeric Films for Space Applications 
NASA-CR-72051 (N67-13782), Development 
of Ultra Thin Gauge Polymeric Films 
Technical questions may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
-Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B71-10135 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: D. W. Cox, Jr., and A. D. Struble of
Sea-Space Systems, Inc. 
under contract to
Lewis Research Center
(LEW-1 1276) 
Category 04,08 
is
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Ultra thin gage plastic film

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