Breathable Films
High-Performance Monolithic & Breathable films
Certain Pebax® polymer grades are inherently breathable when extruded alone or in combination with otherwise non-breathable resins.
Through very careful choice of proprietary polyether block chemistry within the Pebax® polymer backbone, a continuous molecular channel may be achieved that allows physical transport of water vapor molecules while simultaneously blocking any transport of liquid water.
ADVANTAGES OF PEBAX® BREATHABLE FILMS
Unlike perforated or microporous films, monolithic films made from Pebax® polymers do not rely on vapor transport through holes or voids (which enables physical transport in both directions).
Advantages of monolithic films include:
- Adjustable Moisture Vaport Transmission Rate (MVTR)
- No loss of performance over time (no plugging)
- Good tear resistance
- Excellent virus, liquid & odor barrier
- High water entry pressure
- Produced without the use of PFAS
The Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) of the final film may be finely tuned by either varying the thickness or by the level of Pebax® polymer within the host material (usually functional polyolefin).
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Breathable membranes uses by market:
Selecting the right grade:
A COMPLETE PRODUCT OFFERING
There are four grades of Pebax® materials offered for breathable/hydrophilic applications:
- Pebax® 30R51: Bio-based grade with high breathability
- Pebax® MH 1657: Higher melt point, Best in class for solvant cast process
- Pebax® MV 1074: Standard grade with high breathability
- Pebax® MV 3000: Soft touch, Ease of processing, Good adhesion on different substrates by extrusion coating
Each grade is tailored in its performance according to the careful selection by Arkema of the polyether and polyamide blocks in the Pebax® polymer backbone.
Check Technical Datasheets on our Materials Database !
TUNING BREATHABLE PERFORMANCE
Permeability performances are also sensitive to environmental conditions:- Temperature
- Humidity
FOCUS ON: BIO-BASED PERFORMANCE
Pebax® Rnew® 30R51 is 45% bio-based derived from a renewable feedstock: castor beans.
This grade allows an even better permeability with a 30% increase in MVTR compared to the rest of the range.
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