The Science and Technology of Flexible Packaging: Multilayer Films from Resin and Process to End Use provides a comprehensive guide to the use of plastic films in flexible packaging, covering scientific principles, properties, processes, and end use considerations. The book brings the science of multilayer films to the practitioner in a concise and impactful way, presenting the fundamental understanding required to improve product design, material selection, and processes, and includes information on why one material is favored over another for a particular application, or how the film or coating affects material properties.

Detailed descriptions and analysis of the key properties of packaging films are provided from both an engineering and scientific perspective. End-use effects are also covered in detail, providing key insights into the way the products being packaged influence film properties and design.

The book bridges the gap between key scientific literature and the practical challenges faced by the flexible packaging industry, providing essential scientific insights, best practice techniques, environmental sustainability information, and key principles of structure design to enable engineers and scientists to deliver superior products with reduced development time and cost.

• Provides essential information on all aspects of multilayer films in flexible packaging
• Aids in material selection and processing, shortening development times and delivering stronger products
• Bridges the gap between scientific principles and key challenges in the packaging industry, with practical explanations to assist practitioners in overcoming those challenges

Barry A. Morris retired from Dow as an R&D Fellow with over 30 years of experience in packaging innovation and technology. He has had a variety of roles supporting the ethylene copolymer business at Dow (formerly DuPont), including technical service, application development and R&D. He holds twelve U.S. patents and has written for over 125 publications. He is a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers and a long-time board member of the SPE Flexible Packaging and Extrusion Divisions. He has won several industry awards for his contributions to the advancement of flexible packaging technology, including the TAPPI PLACE Division Technical Award (2005), SPE's Bruce Maddock Award (2018) and the DuPont Pedersen Medal (2016).

Part I. Why Multilayer Films?1. Introduction
Part II. Basic Processes2. Converting Processes3. Packaging Equipment
Part III. Material Basics4. Commonly Used Resins and Substrates in Flexible Packaging5. Rheology of Polymer Melts6. Polymer Blending for Packaging Applications
Part IV. Film Properties7. Heat Seal8. Barrier9. Strength, Stiffness, and Abuse Resistance10. Adhesion11. Thermoforming, Orientation, and Shrink12. Frictional and Optical Properties
Part V. Effect of the Converting Process on Properties13. Effect of Processing on Quality14. Effect of Process on Properties15. Effect of Processing on Interlayer Adhesion
Part VI. End Use Considerations16. End-Use Factors Influencing the Design of Flexible Packaging
Part VII. Structure Design and Modeling17. Analytical and Modeling Tools for Structure Design and Process Optimization