Processing Guide for DaniMer 26806
Extrusion Coating Resin
Start with a clean machine. We recommend utilizing DynaPurge F (Shuman Plastics:
716-685-2121) www.DynaPurge.com to thoroughly clean residual polyolefins prior to
use of DaniMer 26806. Use polystyrene or low temperature melt polyethylene as a
purge before and after processing. It is very important to purge the extruder and die
thoroughly after processing so that thermal decomposition of the resin does not occur and
lead to difficulty in preparing the extruder for subsequent work.
Processing Temperature Profile with an LDPE Screw
Feed Throat
Ambient
Front Zone
450-480 F
Middle Zone
430-460 F
End Zone
410-430 F
Adapters and Pipes
380-410 F
Die
400-420 F
Backpressure: Moderate ( 800 – 1,300 psi )
232-249 C
221-238 C
210-221 C
193-210 C
204-216 C
DaniMer 26806 resin has a fairly wide processing range; every extruder may run
somewhat differently. The most critical aspect of temperature when processing
26806 resin is to keep the melt temperature between 440F (227C) and 480F (249C)
degrees. We recommend starting with temperatures at the lower end of the
recommended range with gradual increases in temperature, as needed, to enhance
flow and adhesion until optimal process characteristics are achieved.
Best adhesion results are achieved with flame and counter surface corona discharge
treatment of the substrate surface. Reduce the air gap between the die and the paper
surface (3”-5”: 70-130cm) if possible. The melt curtain should contact the paper first,
about half way up the feed roll. The chill roll above 75F (24C) and the nip roll
should be run with higher pressure to imbed the melt onto substrate.
DaniMer 26806 resin must be dry in order to be successfully processed. The
material is shipped dry and sealed in a foil liner, but can absorb moisture if left open
to the atmosphere. If resin has moisture content above 400 ppm then drying must be
accomplished using desiccated air (- 40F dewpoint) with air temperature below 130
o
F. Small samples can be dried in a vacuum oven.
Decomposition of DaniMer 26806 begins when the material is exposed to
temperatures over 460F (238C) for a period of time. Although in some cases, higher
temperatures are used to help with processing, but the material must be kept moving
through the extruder and die at a high rate as to limit exposure of the resin to the
higher temperatures. If the material begins to turn a caramel color, or produce holes
in the melt curtain, then the higher heat is beginning to cause decomposition.
Page Two
DaniMer 26806 Processing Guide
Important processing parameters are:
 Resin moisture content below 400 ppm
 Processing Temperature Profile
 Resin Melt Temperature between 450- 470F (230-243C)
 Die Gap 0.0025-0.0030”
 Chill Roll Temperature at least 75F (24C)
 Distance From Die Lip to Sheet Surface minimized
 Position of Melt Curtain should enable contact of sheet before contact with
nip/chill roll
 Flame treatment of sheet surface
 Nip Roll Pressure
Processing Temperature Profile & Resin Melt Temperature - run cool enough in the
barrell to keep melt temperature below 470F (243C). A reverse temperature profile
works better with a high compression screw to keep frictional and sheer heat down.
Resin will begin to thermally degrade when exposed to temperature above 460F (238C)
for long time periods. Since resin is not exposed to these temperatures for very long
when running at production rates, thermal degredation should not be a problem. Resin
should be hot enough to “smoke” a little, but watch for signs of thermal degradation i.e.
instability in melt curtain, loss of melt strength, discolored resin etc.
Die Gap – should be set not less than 25 thousandths of an inch; preferably not more than
35 thousandths of an inch.
Chill Roll Temperature – to help adhesion, it is better to run the chill roll at higher
temperatures 75-90F (24-33C). Go as high as possible but obviously short of the point
where the resin sticks to the chill roll.
Distance From Die Lip to Sheet Surface – The air gap distance should be as small as
possible to reduce amount of cooling in resin after it exits the die, and compensate for
greater neck-in of PLA-based resin. Closer is better provided that flow of melt curtain is
uniform across the die.
Position of Melt Curtain relative to Chill Roll and Sheet Surface – Melt curtain
should be positioned so that the melted polymer contacts the paper sheet before making
contact with the nip roll to ensure good adhesion.
Nip Roll Pressure – this should be somewhat higher than with polyethylene so that the
polymer curtain is pressed onto the sheet fairly aggressively.
For technical questions or other information regarding DaniMer
26806 please contact:
John Moore
770-205-9542 Office
404-455-0679 Mobile