Clear Amorphous Nylon for Flexible Food Packaging

A transparent amorphous high-temperature 6I/6T nylon copolymer has been launched for packaging and precision molded applications by Nylon Corp. of America (NYCOA). More specifically, the new NY-Clear 6I/6T series is targeted for use in flexible food packaging and coated beverage paperboard stock requiring high strength, stiffness and hydrolysis resistance. The NY-Clear portfolio consists of grades which are optimized for injection molding components with high dimensional stability and gloss as well as grades optimized for blown film and extrusion applications.

These nylon copolymer grades boast high clarity and strong permeation resistance with up to 30% higher resistance on oxygen, CO₂ and water vapor transmission over competitive materials in the market. Such copolymers are known to offer higher temperature resistance, lower moisture absorption and better retention of properties compared to nylons 6 and 66. Moreover, NY-Clear grades can be used in higher temperature applications such as oven bags. Amorphous nylons are known for their excellent dimensional stability, high Tg, heat deflection temperature (HDT), low creep at elevated temperatures and good chemical resistance compared to many high-performance engineering plastics. NYCOA says significant cost benefits can be realized for amorphous nylons sourced from the company’s Manchester, New Hampshire, production facility, compared to imported resins.