| HS Code | 466092 |
| Density | 0.918 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 20 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) |
| Melting Point | 122 °C |
| Vicat Softening Point | 85 °C |
| Tensile Stress At Yield | 12 MPa |
| Tensile Stress At Break | 18 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 200% |
| Flexural Modulus | 300 MPa |
| Shore D Hardness | 50 |
| Brittleness Temperature | -75 °C |
| Density | 0.918 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 1.0 g/10 min |
| Melting Point | 122 °C |
| Vicat Softening Point | 99 °C |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 11 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | >700% |
| Flexural Modulus | 280 MPa |
| Hardness Shore D | 50 |
| Izod Impact Strength | No break |
| Brittleness Temperature | -80 °C |
| Environmental Stress Crack Resistance | >1000 h |
As an accredited SABIC LLDPE 118NM factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | SABIC LLDPE 118NM is supplied as free-flowing pellets in 25 kg polyethylene bags, palletized and stretch-wrapped for safe transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading of SABIC LLDPE 118NM: 25 kg bags, approximately 20 metric tons net weight, safely secured for shipment. |
| Shipping | SABIC LLDPE 118NM ships as non-hazardous polyethylene resin pellets in 25 kg bags on pallets, wrapped and containerized. Keep dry, avoid excessive heat and direct sunlight. No special transport classification required; standard freight handling with moisture protection and proper securement ensures safe delivery. |
| Storage | Store SABIC LLDPE 118NM in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and oxidizing agents. Keep containers tightly sealed and preferably in original packaging. Avoid generating dust; prevent accumulation of fines. No special storage hazard exists, but material is combustible, so keep away from open flames and ignition sources. |
| Shelf Life | SABIC LLDPE 118NM has an indefinite shelf life when stored in original, sealed packaging under dry, cool conditions away from direct sunlight. |
On high-output blown film lines processing SABIC LLDPE 118NM at a nominal density of 0.918 g/cm³ and an MFR of 1.0 g/10 min under ISO 1133-1:2022, the material is configured as the sealant and core layer in three-layer frozen-food packaging films. The food-contact compliance position is established through EU Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 with overall migration verification below 10 mg/dm², FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for olefin polymers in direct food contact, and Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 for good manufacturing practice across the conversion and slitting line. The addition ratio for monolayer and three-layer structures typically comprises 80–100 wt% SABIC LLDPE 118NM with 0–20 wt% low-density polyethylene for bubble stability, plus 2–4 wt% of a silica-loaded antiblock/slip masterbatch to maintain coefficient of friction between 0.20 and 0.30 under ISO 8295:1995. On production-scale three-layer lines using 60 mm single-screw extruders with L/D 30:1, a 250 mm spiral mandrel die, and a dual-lip air ring, melt temperature is held at 210–225 °C, die gap is set at 1.8–2.2 mm, blow-up ratio is limited to 2.0–2.5:1, and frost line height is maintained at 5–7 die diameters to prevent bubble instability and haze drift. Frozen-food converting requires dart drop resistance of at least 150 g on 30 µm film under ASTM D1709 and Elmendorf tear retention above 300 g in the transverse direction under ASTM D1922; increasing LDPE above 20 wt% is observed to reduce dart drop by 20–30% and therefore must be controlled. End-product formats from this configuration include pillow pouches for frozen vegetables, side-gusseted bags for poultry, and wicket bags for manual cold-chain packing.
In vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal converting of dry foods and powdered beverages, the sealant layer is frequently composed of 70–85 wt% SABIC LLDPE 118NM blended with 15–30 wt% low-density polyethylene and 0.02–0.06 wt% fluoropolymer processing aid, with slip additive concentration restricted to 600–800 ppm and synthetic silica antiblock at 1,000–2,000 ppm. The relevant compliance framework comprises EU Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, and Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006, with migration testing performed under EN 1186-1 and seal integrity testing under ASTM F88/F88M-21. On a high-speed vertical form-fill-seal line, jaw temperature is maintained between 115 °C and 135 °C, dwell between 0.2 s and 0.4 s, and seal bar pressure between 0.3 MPa and 0.5 MPa; hot tack force is measured to ASTM F1921 and heat seal strength to ASTM F88. Comparative studies on metallocene linear low-density polyethylene/LDPE sealant webs indicate that erucamide migration above 1,200 ppm can lower hot tack force by 15–25% under ASTM F1921, while excessive antiblock above 2,500 ppm can depress seal initiation and increase leaker rates. This operational boundary is critical because the narrow molecular weight distribution of SABIC LLDPE 118NM permits high dart impact but also produces high shear viscosity at the die exit; the fluoropolymer processing aid suppresses sharkskin at line speeds above 60 m/min. Terminal product types include pillow pouches, sachets, and stick packs up to 2 kg fill weight, excluding high-temperature retort or hot-fill applications above 90 °C.
Extrusion of industrial heavy-duty sacks and carrier bags from SABIC LLDPE 118NM requires a blend viscosity approach because the narrow molecular weight distribution that improves dart impact contributes to shear thinning limitations in the die land. A practical addition ratio for 70–80 µm sack film is 60–75 wt% SABIC LLDPE 118NM, 25–40 wt% high-density polyethylene or reprocessed polyethylene, and 2–3 wt% carbon black masterbatch. Compliance for non-food industrial sacks is set by REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Annex XVII restrictions, and Directive 94/62/EC with a packaging heavy-metal sum for lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium below 100 mg/kg. Processing is performed on large blown film lines with 90 mm single-screw extruders, L/D 30:1, a 350 mm die, die gap at 2.0–2.5 mm, blow-up ratio at 2.5–3.0, and melt temperatures between 220 °C and 240 °C. The carbon black masterbatch addition above 3 wt% is associated with undispersed agglomerates visible as specks and localized film thinning under ISO 7765-1 puncture impact testing. The process risk is melt fracture at the die lip when line speed is raised beyond 90 m/min without processing aid; this is addressed by adding 0.02–0.05 wt% fluoropolymer processing aid and reducing die land surface roughness. Tensile strength, tear resistance, and puncture resistance are tested to ISO 527-3, ISO 6383-2, and ISO 7765-1 respectively. Terminal product formats include valve sacks, industrial carrier bags, and heavy-duty refuse sacks where puncture resistance above 10 N is required for rough logistics handling.
When SABIC LLDPE 118NM is used as the primary resin in collation shrink film for beverage multipacks, the high-stalk bubble configuration must be adjusted because the melt strength of this material differs from conventional low-density polyethylene at the same 1.0 g/10 min MFR. The addition ratio is commonly 70–80 wt% SABIC LLDPE 118NM and 20–30 wt% LDPE; at LDPE levels below 20 wt%, bubble stability at a blow-up ratio of 3.0 deteriorates, while above 30 wt%, transverse-direction shrink tension under ISO 11501 declines below the threshold needed for tight bottle bundling. The shrink film process uses a high-stalk bubble with die gap at 1.6–2.0 mm, blow-up ratio between 2.8 and 3.2, frost line height at 8–10 die diameters, and internal bubble cooling with venturi air rings. Melt temperature is held between 200 °C and 220 °C; excursions above 225 °C increase haze and lower shrinkage in the machine direction. Compliance for this non-food packaging film is established through REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and Directive 94/62/EC, with volatile organic compound and heavy-metal limits relevant to packaging waste recovery. End-product formats include clear shrink bundling film for cans, polyethylene terephthalate bottle multipacks, and tray-less beverage transport packs. Published data for this specific 118NM/LDPE collation shrink configuration is limited; the blending boundary should therefore be verified on pilot-scale high-stalk lines before commercial transfer.
Stretch hood film lines running SABIC LLDPE 118NM target transverse-direction elongation above 600% under ISO 527-3 to remain competitive on pallet-load oscillation machines. The formulation typically contains 75–85 wt% SABIC LLDPE 118NM, 15–25 wt% polyethylene elastomer or ultra-low-density polyethylene, and 0.5–1.5 wt% slip/antiblock masterbatch. Compliance for this industrial packaging segment is limited to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and EN 14477:2004 for puncture resistance of stretch films, because the film is not intended for direct food contact. Processing is performed on oscillating haul-off blown film lines with die gap at 1.8–2.2 mm, blow-up ratio at 2.0–2.5:1, frost line height at 4–6 die diameters, and melt temperature at 210–230 °C. The lower frost line retention is used to reduce the crystalline orientation that otherwise limits transverse elongation on the pallet wrapper. On pre-stretch wrapping units operating at 150–200% pre-stretch, the film must retain puncture resistance above 5 N under EN 14477 to avoid corner breaks. Terminal products are stretch hood rolls applied to palletized construction materials, white goods, and bulk non-food goods, where load stability depends on residual cling force above 2 N per 25 mm strip.
Extruded silage cover and round bale wrap films based on SABIC LLDPE 118NM are formulated with 70–80 wt% linear low-density polyethylene, 20–30 wt% LDPE or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, 0.3–0.6 wt% hindered amine light stabilizer masterbatch, and 2–3 wt% carbon black or titanium dioxide white masterbatch for ultraviolet screening. Product compliance is assessed under EN 13206:2017 for thermoplastic films used in agriculture and horticulture, with mechanical verification under ISO 7765-1 for impact resistance and ISO 527-3 for tensile elongation. The blown film process typically uses die gap at 1.8–2.2 mm, blow-up ratio at 2.5–3.0, melt temperature between 220 °C and 240 °C, and a frost line position set high enough to produce the balanced machine-direction and transverse-direction tear resistance required during wrapping. Failure analysis on farm-scale bale wrapping units shows that low-temperature puncture is the dominant failure mode when film thickness falls below 20 µm; a minimum thickness of 25 µm is therefore maintained in exposed silage applications. Terminal product types include white or black silage cover film, oxygen-barrier coextruded silage sheets, and round bale wrap for high-moisture forage. Published grade-specific data for SABIC LLDPE 118NM in this low-temperature agricultural configuration is limited, so converter trials should verify ultraviolet stability and puncture retention after accelerated weathering under ISO 4892-2.
| Application scenario | Compliance standard | Test method | Formulation boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen-food packaging film | EU No 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, EC 2023/2006 | ASTM D1709, ASTM D1922, ISO 8295:1995 | 0–20 wt% LDPE; 2–4 wt% antiblock/slip masterbatch |
| Form-fill-seal laminated web | EU No 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | ASTM F1921, ASTM F88, EN 1186-1 | Slip ≤ 800 ppm; antiblock ≤ 2,500 ppm |
| Heavy-duty sack film | REACH 1907/2006, Directive 94/62/EC | ISO 527-3, ISO 6383-2, ISO 7765-1 | 60–75 wt% 118NM; 2–3 wt% carbon black masterbatch |
| Collation shrink film | REACH 1907/2006, Directive 94/62/EC | ISO 11501, ASTM D1003 | 70–80 wt% 118NM; BUR 2.8–3.2 |
| Stretch hood film | REACH 1907/2006, EN 14477:2004 | ISO 527-3, EN 14477 | 75–85 wt% 118NM; 15–25 wt% elastomer/ULDPE |
| Agricultural silage film | EN 13206:2017 | ISO 7765-1, ISO 4892-2, ISO 527-3 | 0.3–0.6 wt% HALS; thickness ≥ 25 µm |
Competitive SABIC LLDPE 118NM prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8615365186327 or mail to admin@ascent-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8615365186327
Email: admin@ascent-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
SABIC LLDPE 118NM is introduced as a metallocene-catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene film resin in the SABIC 118-series portfolio. SABIC technical literature describes the grade as a pelletized ethylene–alpha-olefin copolymer with a nominal density of 0.918 g/cm³ measured in accordance with ISO 1183-1:2019 and a nominal melt mass-flow rate of 1.0 g/10 min measured in accordance with ISO 1133-1:2022 at 190 °C under a 2.16 kg load. The reactor platform and catalyst package are not detailed in the public technical datasheet; density, melt index, additive stabilization, and lot-specific gel and catalyst residue levels are specified through the certificate of analysis. The resin is intended for thin-gauge blown film and cast film applications, including hygiene film, agricultural wrap, collation shrink, frozen-food packaging, and lamination structures, where converter validation of sealing, blocking, coefficient of friction, and film gauge is obligatory. In food packaging, the resin alone does not constitute finished-article compliance under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 or (EU) No 10/2011; the final film must be tested against overall migration and specific migration limits applicable to the intended food type and contact conditions. The technical distinction of this grade relative to conventional Ziegler-Natta linear low-density polyethylene is its narrower molecular weight distribution and more homogeneous comonomer placement, which produces a different balance of optical, seal, impact, and processing behaviour. The same molecular characteristics reduce melt strength and shear thinning, so conversion conditions cannot be directly transferred from a Ziegler-Natta LLDPE grade without process adjustment.
The primary structural difference between SABIC LLDPE 118NM and a conventional Ziegler-Natta linear low-density polyethylene is the catalyst architecture. Metallocene single-site catalysts produce a narrower molecular weight distribution and a more uniform comonomer incorporation across the molecular weight envelope. In Ziegler-Natta grades, comonomer is preferentially incorporated into the lower-molecular-weight chains; the more uniform incorporation pattern in metallocene grades alters solid-state properties. The observable consequences are measured through standard film tests. Haze is evaluated using ISO 14782 or ASTM D1003; dart impact is evaluated using ASTM D1709 Method A; seal initiation is evaluated on a laboratory heat sealer at controlled pressure and dwell time, with seal strength measured according to ASTM F88/F88M. At equivalent density, metallocene LLDPE typically demonstrates lower haze, higher dart impact, reduced extractables, and lower seal initiation temperature than Ziegler-Natta grades. The exact values for SABIC LLDPE 118NM are lot-dependent and are published in the current SABIC technical datasheet; no single numerical value should be used as a purchasing specification. Compared with high-pressure low-density polyethylene, SABIC LLDPE 118NM has lower melt strength and lower shear thinning, which shifts processability. Bubble stability in high-stalk blown film is reduced unless LDPE is blended at 10–30 wt%, while cast film edge neck-in and draw resonance thresholds are modified. Within the SABIC portfolio, the suffix NM identifies a specific base resin and additive package; exact anti-block and slip loadings are not identical to 118NJ or 118WJ and must be verified against the grade datasheet because they influence blocking force and coefficient of friction.
In blown film conversion, the resin is processed in the melt temperature range 180–230 °C on single-screw extruders with 24:1 to 40:1 L/D and barrier or Maddock screw geometries. The narrow molecular weight distribution of the metallocene resin reduces shear thinning; at the same output rate, extruder motor load and melt pressure may be higher than those recorded for a Ziegler-Natta LLDPE of equivalent density and melt index. Die pressure and melt temperature should be monitored continuously because the resin is sensitive to long residence time above 240 °C. Gel particles and optical defects can develop when degraded polymer accumulates in dead zones of the die, adapter, or screen changer. Screens of 20/40/60 mesh are used on many blown-film lines to protect the die, but the resulting pressure drop must be accepted by the extruder drive. Die gaps of 1.0–2.5 mm and blow-up ratios of 2.0–3.0 are common for this film resin; frost line height is set to balance optical clarity and bubble stability. External and internal bubble cooling improve throughput and gauge control, but the reduced melt strength means that a stalk bubble with a high frost line is less stable than with LDPE-rich formulations. Pre-drying is generally not required for polyolefin pellets, but surface condensation must be removed when pellets have been stored in low-temperature warehouses or in relative humidity above 60 %. A pellet dryer set to 60–70 °C for 1–2 hours is sufficient. These processing parameters are not specifications; they are starting-point conditions that must be adjusted for die diameter, extruder size, and target film gauge.
| Parameter | Test method | Published nominal value |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 0.918 g/cm³ |
| Melt mass-flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 1.0 g/10 min at 190 °C/2.16 kg |
| Antioxidant package | Producer specification | Hindered phenolic/phosphite system |
| Food-contact reference | FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | Olefin polymer; article-dependent |
A grade specification is not solely a density–melt-index pair. Film-grade performance also depends on additive stabilization, catalyst residues, comonomer type, and gel control; these are not fully captured by ISO 1183-1:2019 and ISO 1133-1:2022. The melt mass-flow rate is a single-point rheological descriptor and does not predict high-shear processing behaviour. Capillary rheometry using ISO 11443 is required to characterize the shear viscosity curve; the available data for SABIC LLDPE 118NM are published in SABIC processing guides and should be used when transferring the resin to a new line. When comparing 118NM with other film resins, converters should compare the full rheology curve rather than a single melt-flow index, because metallocene LLDPE can have a similar melt index to a Ziegler-Natta grade but a materially different viscosity at 100 s⁻¹ and 1000 s⁻¹. The published nominal density places the resin in the low-density segment of linear low-density polyethylene; density influences stiffness, dart impact, water vapour transmission rate, and seal initiation. A decrease of 0.001 g/cm³ in density is known to shift water vapour transmission and film modulus in the direction opposite to barrier improvement; the exact trade-off for SABIC LLDPE 118NM is available in the technical datasheet.
Regulatory conformity for food packaging is established at the finished article level, not solely by resin selection. Under (EU) No 10/2011, a converter must evaluate overall migration and specific migration of additives using food simulants assigned to the intended food type and contact time. Under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, the grade is evaluated as an olefin polymer, with compliance contingent upon density, extractable fraction, and end-use temperature limitations specified in the regulation. SABIC LLDPE 118NM is supplied with regulatory bulletins; those bulletins may state that the resin is suitable for certain food-contact uses when processed under specified conditions, but they do not cover downstream printing inks, adhesives, coatings, or process aids introduced by the converter. For non-food industrial film, no direct food-contact compliance is required, but the resin still falls under (EC) No 1907/2006 for REACH registration and 2011/65/EU for RoHS if the final article is placed on the European market. The resin should not be used in medical implant applications, in direct contact with strong oxidizing acids, or at continuous service temperatures above the grade’s temperature rating without validation. Antioxidant stabilization limitations are not declared by a single standard; they are set by the producer’s stabilization package and should be confirmed for any export market that requires specific shelf-life or UV resistance.
Within the 118-series, the grade differentiation is not limited to comonomer type. The base resin may be common, but the additive package changes blocking force, coefficient of friction, and organoleptic profile. A converter replacing SABIC LLDPE 118NJ or 118WJ with SABIC LLDPE 118NM should not assume that extrusion conditions and film properties remain unchanged; the certificate of analysis should be compared first. The exact talc, silica, or slip loadings are proprietary and are disclosed in safety data sheets only to the extent required by hazard communication. In practice, the selection between 118NM and another 118-series resin is made after trial film evaluations on the intended line, with measurements of dart impact according to ASTM D1709, Elmendorf tear according to ISO 6383-2, haze according to ISO 14782, and coefficient of friction according to ASTM D1894. Those tests should be carried out on film conditioned at 23 °C and 50 % relative humidity for a minimum of 40 hours because polyethylene film properties are time- and humidity-dependent.
Cast film conversion imposes different rheological demands than blown film. High-speed cast film lines often operate at 200–500 m/min; at these speeds, melt curtain stability, draw resonance, and edge neck-in are primary process controls. SABIC LLDPE 118NM, by virtue of its narrow molecular weight distribution and linear molecular architecture, produces a lower melt strength than high-pressure LDPE. On cast film lines with a 0.5–1.5 mm die gap and a chill-roll temperature between 20 °C and 50 °C, the melt curtain is stabilized using a vacuum box and an air knife; the air knife and vacuum settings are adjusted to prevent sagging and edge neck-in. Draw resonance may appear as periodic thickness variation when the draw ratio exceeds a critical value; the critical draw ratio is lower for linear resins than for branched LDPE. Blending the grade with 10 wt% to 30 wt% LDPE suppresses draw resonance and improves melt curtain stability, but the addition alters modulus, seal performance, and optical haze. When maintaining a pure 118NM structure, the converter compensates by reducing draw ratio, lowering melt temperature within the 180–210 °C band, or increasing die gap to reduce extensional stress. The exact condition set is line-dependent and should be established on the production equipment rather than transferred from another plant. In addition, batch-to-batch variation in additive package can influence coefficient of friction and blocking on the cast film winder; roll tension should be ramped according to the winder diameter and measured film stiffness, not fixed at a single value. Converters using automatic gauge control systems should verify that the scanning frame is calibrated for the expected density and film thickness range; otherwise the thickness signal is acceptable but the basis-weight calculation may drift when the grade is switched from a Ziegler-Natta LLDPE of different density.
| Standard or regulation | Scope | Application condition |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 | Olefin polymers for food contact | Article-dependent; density, extractable, and end-use condition limits apply |
| (EU) No 10/2011 | Plastic food-contact materials and articles | Overall migration and specific migration must be tested on finished article |
| (EC) No 1907/2006 | REACH registration, evaluation, authorisation | SABIC registration obligations apply; downstream communication via SDS |
| 2011/65/EU | RoHS restriction of hazardous substances | Finished article scope; resin as supplied must not exceed restricted substance thresholds |
| ISO 1183-1:2019 | Density | Nominal 0.918 g/cm³ typical; not a specification limit |
| ISO 1133-1:2022 | Melt mass-flow rate | Nominal 1.0 g/10 min typical at 190 °C/2.16 kg |
In heavy-duty sack and agricultural film applications, the resin is often converted in a three-layer coextruded film structure. The skin layers may be formulated with 118NM for surface optics and sealing, while a core layer may use a broader MWD grade for bubble stability and melt strength. Layer thickness distribution is adjusted to meet the target total gauge; this requires actual extruder throughput calibration on the coextrusion line. The resin contributes to seal performance; heat-seal strength is measured according to ASTM F88/F88M and hot-tack according to ASTM F1921, but the values are specific to the film structure and sealing conditions. No universal hot-tack value can be assigned to SABIC LLDPE 118NM without specifying film gauge, seal bar profile, dwell time, and pressure. The same limitation applies to puncture resistance: test values from ASTM D5748 or total energy drop depend on gauge, temperature, and test speed. Published data for this specific configuration is limited in public literature; the SABIC technical datasheet and converter trials remain the authoritative source for the grade-specific values. Converters must verify lot-specific values against the certificate of analysis and conduct end-use validation because neither the nominal values nor the regulatory framework substitutes for production-scale film qualification.
