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Gas transmission properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films studied under subambient and ambient conditions for modified atmosphere packaging applications
Author(s) -
Doyon Gilles,
Gag Jean,
Toupin C.,
Castaigne Francois
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/pts.2770040307
Subject(s) - polyvinyl chloride , permeability (electromagnetism) , polymer , materials science , moisture , chloride , composite material , chemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , chromatography , engineering , biochemistry , membrane , metallurgy
This study was undertaken to determine the gas transmission properties of three polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films mostly used as overwrap for fresh produce under subambient and ambient conditions (5–40°C). Three different kinds of curves or groups of data are presented: gas transmission rates, activation energy measurements and the permeability coefficient. Hydrophobic by nature, the PVCs are not affected in their gas transmission properties (O 2 , CO 2 ) by the moisture level. Reliable gas transmission data were obtained with method variability (≤9%) over a wide range of temperature. Regression constants, activation energies for prediction equations and permeability ratios (CO 2 /O 2 ) are presented for the three films. Greater uniformity in test procedures, and the presentation of permeability data normalized to 1 μm instead of 1 mil would simplify comparative studies within and between countries, laboratory services and from the scientific literature. More research is needed to study the wide variety of polymers available under subambient conditions.