Abstract
We study the incorporation of minerals (talc, kaolin and surface-treated calcium carbonate) in paperboard coatings based on PLA to improve their performance, often limited by the low crystallinity and moderate gas barrier of the polymer. Masterbatches of PLA-based blends mixed with the mineral fillers were melt-blended in a twin-screw extruder and applied as a coating on paperboard in a pilot-scale unit operating at velocities up to 140 m/min. Thermal imaging was used during the extrusion coating and the effect of the fillers was investigated as far as processability and their effect on the mechanical performance. A reduction of neck-in and improved adhesion between the coating and the substrate were achieved at intermediate mineral loadings. Excess filler and low coating weight generated pinholes, leading to a reduction of the integrity and mechanical properties of the coatings. Overall, we define the performance window for continuous, pilot-scale coating of paperboard with a biopolyester filled with mineral particles, opening the opportunity to realize operations in industrial settings.
Funding statement: The authors state no funding involved.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Arctic Biomaterials Oy for the masterbatch compounding, Päivi Kauppinen for the assistance with the SEM images, Joni Myyryläinen for the assistance with the mechanical analysis, and Laura Koskinen for the assistance with the images. Research group of Paper Converting and Packaging Technology at Tampere University is acknowledged with appreciation for the extrusion coating trial, and the neck-in and the adhesion measurements.
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Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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