Eco-Friendly Tape

Environmentally Friendly Tape Containing Natural Adhesive and Film Materials While tape is a practical and useful material, it poses a threat to our environment as it is produced from petroleum-based products. For this purpose, this study developed an environmentally friendly and practical tape material that does not pose a threat to nature. The transparent film structure was obtained from oriented polypropylene (OPP) polymer, while the film's adhesive properties were derived from mountain gum. The mechanical properties of commercial films were determined using the natural tape obtained. The goal is for our environmentally friendly tape to serve multiple applications as an eco-friendly material.

1. Introduction

Substances that hold materials together are defined as adhesives. In adhesion application, the process in which two different surfaces attract each other and bond due to interactions between ions and atoms on their contact surfaces. In the market, adhesives exist in physical forms such as solid, liquid, paste, and tape. The first historical use of adhesive materials dates back to around 4000 B.C. Archaeological studies show that tribes bonded their pottery using resin obtained from tree sap. By the 1700s, adhesive use had become quite widespread. Adhesives are divided into two main categories within themselves. Adhesives can generally be divided into two groups: 1) Inorganic adhesives, 2) Organic adhesives, a) Natural adhesives, b) Synthetic adhesives. The use of phenol formaldehyde expanded gradually after being applied to wood-based materials such as fiber board, particleboard, and plywood. However, parallel to this, significant price increases were seen in these adhesives. In the near future, as these become environmental threats, user demand for adhesives will decrease due to high costs. For this reason, many countries are promoting the production of plant-based adhesives such as lignocellulosic materials to move away from adhesives. Phenol formaldehyde is a carcinogenic material. Phenol formaldehyde, a non-recyclable material, negatively affects the environment and human health. Various initiatives against phenol formaldehyde are emerging in our country as well. The abundance of plant waste in our country and its proper utilization will provide protection both in energy efficiency and against environmental pollution. Oriented PP polymer shows durable and clear properties in film form but cannot be heat-sealed. For heat-sealing, it is generally used together with other films, for example, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer with low molecular weight. Generally, LDPE significantly increases adhesion properties, but since LDPE polymer is also petroleum-based, it poses a threat to the environment. In general, our OPP polymer is referred to as gelatin material in the market and is used as a lamination layer with its low-temperature heat-sealing properties and durability. Speaking of its advantages, the dust-free and void-free properties make OPP attractive. It is resistant to sealing stresses and tearing. Having this property in a tape is desirable when needed. OPP is a soft and flexible material. It is more suitable for curling and adhesion. It is open to use in all areas. Its compatibility with ultraviolet printing is strong, with high clarity and adhesion properties. The OPP film image is shown in Figure 1.1. Mountain gum (Chondrilla juncea), in the Asteraceae family, is known by different names such as skeleton weed, gum essence, devil's weed, and naked weed. The plant has a structure specific to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In a study conducted by Yener and colleagues, the species identification of mountain gum plant extract, which grows in mountain areas of Muş Province and is generally known as hook gum or mountain gum, was performed. They investigated the antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria using the disk diffusion method. After 24 hours of incubation, they observed no zone around the paper disks and determined that the antimicrobial effect of Chondrilla juncea L. plant extract was low. They noticed that Chondrilla juncea L. plant extract has a pleasant smell. The mountain gum image is shown in Figure 1.2. Mountain gum material with high adhesive activity has applications in the health sector, while antimicrobial effects can be provided by adding different active agents to compensate for the lack of antimicrobial effect in mountain gum. Based on this, in addition to properties that should essentially be present in a tape, antimicrobial and antifungal properties can be imparted. By using thyme, mint, tea tree, and lavender essential oils, which are known to have the highest antimicrobial effects, the environmentally friendly tape will thereby gain antimicrobial properties. Based on this, in a 2021 study by Aslan and colleagues, antimicrobial research was conducted on essential oils containing 16 different natural substances. Thyme, mint, tea tree, and lavender substances showed high effectiveness. Images of thyme, mint, tea tree, and lavender materials are shown in Figure 1.3. In this study, natural tape adhesive was obtained from mountain gum, and OPP film was obtained using an extruder film production line. Tensile tests were conducted on the petroleum-based tape available on the market and the tape we produced, and their mechanical properties and performance levels were determined.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials Used

OPP polymer was obtained from a domestic supplier. Mountain gum, thyme, mint, tea tree, and lavender were collected from various regions of our country. Cardboard bobbins were requested and obtained from paper producers in our region.

2.2. OPP Film Production and Mountain Gum Resin Preparation, Antimicrobial Tape Production

Thyme, mint, tea tree, and lavender essential oils were added to the OPP raw material pool and mixed for 24 hours. Subsequently, tape packaging was obtained using a film extruder. Three meters of OPP film containing essential oils was cut to a width of five centimeters. Mountain gum taken into an air compressor spray system was sprayed onto the OPP film containing essential oils at a specific rate, while the tape production was completed with the tape surface adhering through rollers at a specific rate. Figure 2.1 shows our environmentally friendly tape production stages.

3. Results and Discussion

According to ASTM standards, when film tapes drawn at a specific rate were compared, the petroleum-based tape yielded 30 MPa while our natural product provided a tensile strength value of 75 MPa. Here, the essential oil active agents in OPP support the directional tensile strength increase by entering between OPP fibers during the tensile process, demonstrating that the adhesion performance of the mountain gum material is very high.

4. Conclusions

Environmentally friendly tape with natural content has been produced. Natural antimicrobial effect has been imparted to the packaging. In terms of mechanical properties, 45 MPa higher tensile strength was achieved compared to petroleum-based products. Following optimization studies, our tape will be able to serve many industrial applications.   References https://bilimgenc.tubitak.gov.tr/proje/dag-sakizii-ozutunun-antimikrobiyal-ozelliginin-arastirilmasi ASLAN, R., TAŞKIN KAFA, A. H., HASBEK, M., & ÇELİK, C. (2021). Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial effectiveness of different essential oils. Turkish Journal of Hygiene and Experimental Biology, 78(4), 525-534. Sohn, I. B., Noh, Y. C., Choi, S. C., Ko, D. K., Lee, J., & Choi, Y. J. (2008). Femtosecond laser ablation of polypropylene for breathable film. Applied Surface Science, 254(16), 4919-4924. https://www.yesilodak.com/dogal-yapistiricidan-cevre-dostu-bant   Erdi Buluş Lecturer / Materials Technology Specialist İstanbul Arel University ArelPOTKAM (Polymer Technologies and Composite Application and Research Center) Civil Aviation Cabin Services Program / Vocational School, Department of Transportation Services   Gülseren Sakarya Buluş Specialist İstanbul Provincial Health Directorate Bahçeşehir University / Engineering Management Department Graduate Education Institute