AFM Characterization of Surface Segregated Erucamide and Behenamide in Linear Low Density Polyethylene Film

Abstract

Coefficient of friction (COF) measurements and AFM of LLDPE films containing erucamide and behenamide indicated that COF reduction is not necessarily dependent on additive coverage of the film surface. A film containing 1010 ppm erucamide yielded a kinetic COF of 0.2 without complete surface coverage, whereas a 1080 ppm behenamide film exhibited a saturated surface and higher COF. AFM showed distinct differences in crystal formation between the surface-segregated additives, with erucamide exhibiting a plate-like structure.