Jon Conroy, Braionna Barber and Sarah Owens
Ampacet Corporation
3801 N. Fruitridge Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47804

Abstract: For almost ten years, Ampacet has sponsored plasticulture research throughout North and Central America. Much of this work has been focused on mulch film, both from film performance and crop yield perspectives. Extensive data has been collected on photoselective colors; black, and white over black coex mulch films however, command the lion’s share of the market. To produce a viable mulch film, factors must be considered from both from a field performance and a processability standpoint. Issues affecting film performance include solar insolation, ambient temperature, agrochemical usage, and time of exposure. Additionally, processing considerations must be given to film gauge, resin selection, process capabilities, including feeder metering and extruder distributive mixing, and processing temperatures. The choice of master batches for carbon black and stabilizer packages is critical. Aspects of the influence of carbon black, including particle size, structure, and loading, along with affects of stabilizer packages on film field performance will be presented.

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