An Examination of the Slip Mechanism of Low‐Extraction Modified Polysiloxane Additives in Polyethylene Films

ABSTRACT Polyethylene films are prone to adhesion between layers, leading to poor surface slip characteristics which result in increased friction and sticking or “blocking” effects. These issues significantly impair production efficiency and limit the performance of polyethylene films in packaging applications. The addition of fatty acid amide slip agents to the polymer matrix can serve to enhance surface slip properties by forming a crystalline lubricating layer. This strategy is often combined with the use of inorganic anti‐blocking agents to introduce an anti‐sticking and easy‐opening functionality. However, migration and subsequent blooming of the fatty acid amides can result in surface powdering, which compromises the packaging aesthetics where exudation may adversely affect printability and heat sealability. This study considers the application of non‐migrating silicone‐based slip agent and fatty acid amides in polyethylene films, where the surface properties have been characterized by friction coefficient measurements, surface wipe tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results demonstrate that the incorporation of the silicone‐based slip agent effectively reduces the coefficient of friction to below 0.25, satisfying industrial performance requirements. Furthermore, the silicone‐based slip agent exhibits no evidence of surface blooming and maintains a stable friction coefficient over 25 repeated testing cycles, indicating a high degree of durability and long‐term functionality.