Biodegradable film. IV. Printability study on biodegradable film

A starch-based biodegradable (BD low density polyethylene (LDPE) film can b e directly printable without any corona treatment, unlike virgin LDPE film. Such a film shows poor adhesion and nail scratch resistance of the ink on the printed area of the film. In order to increase the adhesion and nail sc ratch resistance of the ink on the printed ED film, grafting of acrylonitri le onto the ED film is carried out. The polyacrylonitrile grafted ED film s hows better adhesion, nail scratch resistance, and printability. The printa bility of the polyacrylonitrile grafted ED film is comparable to the conven tional corona treated LDPE film. The extent of printability is a function o f the surface smoothness, as well as the optimum percentage of grafting on the biodegradable film. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.