DOWLEX™ 2047G

Product Identification and Material Overview

Introduction and Classification

DOWLEX™ 2047G is a high-performance thermoplastic resin developed and manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company. It is classified as a Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), a category of polymers known for their exceptional flexibility and toughness. The material is supplied to converters in the form of white, odorless pellets, designed for industrial conversion into finished goods.

Chemically, DOWLEX™ 2047G is identified as an ethene-1-octene copolymer. This specific chemical composition places it in a premium sub-category of LLDPEs. The use of 1-octene as the comonomer, rather than shorter-chain olefins like butene or hexene, is a deliberate choice in its molecular design. During polymerization, the longer six-carbon side chains of the octene comonomer are highly effective at disrupting the formation of a perfectly ordered crystalline structure. This creates a polymer matrix with a high density of "tie-molecules"—long polymer chains that bridge multiple crystalline lamellae through the amorphous regions. This robust, interconnected molecular architecture is directly responsible for the material's superior ability to absorb and dissipate energy, which manifests in its macroscopic mechanical performance.

The primary and intended fabrication method for DOWLEX™ 2047G is cast film extrusion, a process for which this resin has been meticulously optimized to deliver high-quality films for demanding applications.

Core Performance Proposition

The central value proposition of DOWLEX™ 2047G, consistently emphasized across all technical documentation, is its exceptional balance of mechanical properties. It is engineered to provide outstanding toughness, impact strength, and tear resistance. These attributes are not mutually exclusive but are synergistically delivered by the resin's underlying molecular structure. A key performance indicator derived from this toughness is the excellent puncture resistance of films made from this grade, a critical requirement for its primary target markets where film integrity under stress is paramount. This combination of properties allows for the production of durable, reliable films that can often be downgauged—made thinner—without compromising performance, offering potential economic and environmental benefits.

Formulation and Additives

A defining feature of DOWLEX™ 2047G is its formulation as a "barefoot" or "neat" resin. Technical data sheets explicitly state that the product as supplied contains no slip agents, no antiblock agents, and no processing aids. This intentional lack of additives is a significant advantage for converters who require maximum control over the final film properties. It provides a clean, unmodified base polymer, allowing for the precise and customized incorporation of specific additive masterbatches (e.g., slip, antiblock, cling, UV stabilizers) to meet the exact surface property and performance requirements of a given end-use application. This flexibility makes it a highly versatile starting material for a wide range of film products.

Core Resin and Physical Characteristics

Fundamental Physical Properties

The fundamental properties of the resin in its neat, pelletized form are critical identifiers for material selection, process design, and quality control.

The nominal density of DOWLEX™ 2047G is consistently reported as 0.917 g/cm³ (equivalent to 0.0331 lb/in³), as determined by the ASTM D792 test method. Some technical documents also specify a "Base Density" of 0.917 g/cm³. This term is used to clarify the density of the pure polymer backbone, noting that the addition of mineral-based additives like antiblock would typically increase the final compound's density. Since DOWLEX™ 2047G is an additive-free grade, its nominal and base densities are identical.

The Melt Flow Index (MFI), a critical measure of the polymer's viscosity under specified conditions, is 2.3 g/10 min. This value is obtained according to the ASTM D1238 standard, using a temperature of 190°C and a load of 2.16 kg. This specific MFI is not an arbitrary value; it represents a carefully engineered compromise between processability and final-part performance. MFI is inversely proportional to the polymer's average molecular weight. A lower MFI would imply a higher molecular weight, leading to enhanced mechanical properties like toughness and tear strength but would also result in a highly viscous melt that is difficult to process, requires more energy, and is prone to melt fracture at high line speeds. Conversely, a significantly higher MFI would yield a low-viscosity resin that is easy to extrude but would produce a film with inferior mechanical strength, negating the benefits of its premium octene comonomer chemistry. The MFI of 2.3 g/10 min strikes a deliberate balance, retaining the exceptional mechanical integrity derived from its high molecular weight and octene-based structure while ensuring the melt is fluid enough for efficient, high-speed processing on modern cast film lines, as evidenced by the recommended line speed of 122 m/min. This balance is the reason the resin is cited for both "excellent processability" and "outstanding toughness".

Table 1: Summary of Key Material Identifiers

Detailed Film Performance Characteristics

The properties of a film produced from DOWLEX™ 2047G are the ultimate measure of its performance. The following data are based on a nominal film thickness of 20 µm (0.8 mil) or 20.3 µm (0.800 mil), which serves as a standardized benchmark for comparison.

Mechanical Properties: Anisotropic Behavior

The cast film extrusion process imparts a degree of molecular orientation, resulting in anisotropic properties, meaning the film's behavior differs in the Machine Direction (MD) and the Transverse Direction (TD). This anisotropy is a critical and desirable feature for many of its applications.

The mechanical properties reveal a film engineered for a specific purpose. The cast extrusion process, where the molten polymer web is drawn from the die and cooled on a chill roll, inherently aligns the long polymer chains in the Machine Direction. This orientation creates a strong "backbone" along the length of the film, evidenced by a significantly higher tensile strength at break in the MD (50.1 MPa) compared to the TD (28.8 MPa). This MD strength is crucial for processability, preventing the film from snapping during high-speed winding and subsequent wrapping operations.

Conversely, the film exhibits superior performance in the Transverse Direction for properties related to containment and stretching. The TD elongation at break is substantially higher (650%) than in the MD (460%), and the Elmendorf tear strength is also much greater in the TD (510 g) than the MD (340 g). For the primary application of pallet stretch wrap, this is the most critical performance axis. The high TD elongation allows the film to be stretched tightly around the sharp corners of a pallet without failing, generating high holding force. The high TD tear resistance ensures that any puncture or nick that occurs during handling does not easily propagate across the width of the film, which would lead to catastrophic load failure. This data profile—high strength in the machine direction for processing and high stretch and tear in the transverse direction for application performance—demonstrates a material that is perfectly optimized for its primary end-use.

Thermal Properties

The thermal characteristics of the film dictate its processing window and its performance in applications involving temperature variations.

• Melting Temperature (T_m): The peak melting point, as measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) using a Dow Method, is 122 °C (252 °F). This value is essential for determining the upper boundary of the processing temperature range during extrusion.
• Vicat Softening Temperature: Measured according to ASTM D1525, the Vicat softening point is 97.8 °C (208 °F). This property indicates the temperature at which the material begins to lose its structural integrity under a specific load and is a key indicator of the film's heat resistance and its ability to maintain dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity at elevated temperatures.

Optical Properties

DOWLEX™ 2047G produces films with exceptional optical qualities, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of packaged goods.

• Haze: The film exhibits an exceptionally low haze value of 0.40% when tested according to ASTM D1003. This indicates outstanding clarity, allowing for clear visibility of the packaged product.
• Gloss: At a 45° angle, the film demonstrates a high gloss level of 95% (ASTM D2457). This high gloss provides a premium, reflective surface finish, which is highly desirable in consumer packaging applications.

Table 2: Comprehensive Film Property Data

Note: All film properties are based on a nominal film thickness of 20 µm (0.8 mil). These values are typical and should not be construed as specifications. Source 5.

Applications and End-Use Markets

The unique combination of elite mechanical strength, excellent processability, and superior optical properties makes DOWLEX™ 2047G a versatile, high-performance platform resin suitable for a diverse range of applications across multiple industries.

Primary Application: High-Performance Stretch Film

The most prominent and frequently cited application for DOWLEX™ 2047G is in the production of high-performance cast stretch film. Its properties are ideally suited for both industrial and consumer packaging, particularly for applications like automated industrial pallet wrap and manual hand wrap. In this domain, its high puncture and tear resistance ensure load integrity during shipping and handling, while its excellent stretchability allows for secure load containment with potentially less film per pallet, offering source reduction benefits.

Secondary and Specialty Applications

Beyond its primary market, the fundamental properties of DOWLEX™ 2047G are leveraged in several other specialty sectors:

• Hygiene and Personal Care: The resin is a preferred material in the hygiene market. Its combination of toughness and inherent softness makes it ideal for breathable and non-breathable backsheet films used in baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene articles. Its strength allows for the production of very thin, lightweight, and quiet films that do not compromise on barrier performance. It is also used for apertured film topsheets, where fluid management and a soft feel are required.
• Agricultural Films: In agriculture, durability is paramount. DOWLEX™ 2047G is recommended for applications such as silage wrap and mulch film, where high tear and puncture resistance are needed to withstand environmental exposure and mechanical stress during application and use.
• Lamination Films: The resin's excellent toughness and high clarity make it a valuable component in multilayer laminated film structures. It can serve as a durable outer layer or a core layer that provides strength to the overall composite structure.
• Artificial Turf: The durability and abrasion resistance of DOWLEX™ 2047G make it suitable for the production of yarn for artificial turf fields. It is used to create both monofilament and fibrillated tape yarns that must withstand heavy foot traffic and environmental wear over long periods.

This broad application portfolio demonstrates that DOWLEX™ 2047G is not a niche product. Rather, its fundamental characteristics of toughness, tear resistance, and processability provide a robust foundation that can be adapted across numerous, seemingly disparate markets, from industrial packaging to soft-touch hygiene products.

Processing and Fabrication Guidelines for Cast Film Extrusion

Recommended Processing Conditions

The following parameters represent typical fabrication conditions for producing a cast film from DOWLEX™ 2047G. These values serve as an excellent starting point for process engineers to establish a stable operation, which can then be optimized for specific equipment and final product requirements. The data was generated on extruders with a length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of 30:1 and screw diameters ranging from 2.0 to 2.5 inches (51 to 63.5 mm).

• Melt Temperature: A target melt temperature range of 524°F to 525°F (273°C to 274°C) is recommended.
• Chill Roll Temperature: A chill roll surface temperature of 70°F (21°C) is suggested for effective cooling and solidification of the film.
• Line Speed: The resin is capable of being processed at a high line speed of 376 fpm (122 m/min).
• Screw Speed: A screw speed of 35 rpm was used in the typical setup; however, this parameter is highly dependent on the specific extruder's size, screw design, and desired output rate.

Table 3: Recommended Cast Film Extrusion Parameters

Note: These are typical properties only and are not to be construed as specifications. Users should confirm results by their own tests for their specific equipment and application requirements. Source 5.

Processing Considerations and Potential Challenges

As DOWLEX™ 2047G is a "barefoot" resin supplied without additives, converters must account for this in their process design. The absence of a processing aid means that while the resin's MFI is optimized for good processability, pushing line speeds or shear rates significantly beyond the recommended window could potentially lead to melt fracture. In such high-output scenarios, the addition of a separate Polymer Processing Aid (PPA) masterbatch may be necessary to maintain a smooth film surface.

Furthermore, the lack of slip and antiblock additives means that the high-clarity film may be prone to "blocking," a phenomenon where adjacent layers of film on a roll stick together. This can be mitigated through careful control of the chill roll temperature and winding tension, but for most applications, converters will need to incorporate their own antiblock masterbatch to ensure smooth unwinding of the finished rolls.

Regulatory Compliance and Food Contact Status

Global Food Contact Compliance

DOWLEX™ 2047G is suitable for a wide variety of food packaging applications, as it complies with the major food contact regulations in both the United States and the European Union.

• United States (FDA): The resin's compliance is established through two key regulatory mechanisms. This dual clearance provides a high level of assurance for its use.
  • It is covered under 21 CFR 177.1520 (c) 3.1a, which is the foundational regulation listing olefin polymers generally recognized as safe for use in articles intended for food contact.
  • It also complies with Food Contact Notification (FCN) 424. The FCN program is a more modern and specific process where a manufacturer submits data for a particular substance to the FDA. An effective FCN provides a targeted, contemporary regulatory clearance for the notified substance. The existence of both a general CFR listing and a specific FCN demonstrates a robust compliance profile.
• European Union: The resin complies with Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

It is imperative that end-users consult the full text of these regulations to ensure their specific application and conditions of use are covered.

Other Regulatory Compliance

In addition to food contact regulations, DOWLEX™ 2047G is also compliant with the EU Directive 2011/65/EU, commonly known as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. This confirms that the material is free from the specific hazardous substances restricted for use in electrical and electronic equipment.

Table 4: Regulatory Compliance Summary

Health, Safety, and Handling Protocol

Disclaimer: An official Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for DOWLEX™ 2047G should always be obtained from the supplier and consulted prior to use. The following information is based on the SDS for the closely related DOWLEX™ 2045G grade, which shares the same base polymer (ethene-1-octene copolymer), physical form, and general hazard profile.

Hazard Identification

In its supplied solid pellet form, the product is not classified as a hazardous chemical under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). However, certain physical hazards are present during handling and processing.

Physical Hazards:

• Slipping Hazard: Spilled pellets create a significant slip and fall risk. Good housekeeping is essential.
• Combustible Dust: Mechanical handling, conveying, and processing can generate fine dust particles. If these particles accumulate and become airborne in sufficient concentration, they can form a combustible mixture, posing a dust explosion hazard. Dust accumulation must be prevented, and equipment should be properly bonded and grounded to prevent ignition from static discharge.
• Thermal Burns: The material is processed at high temperatures (e.g., 274°C). Direct contact with molten polymer will cause severe and deep thermal burns.

Health Hazards:

• Eye and Skin Contact: The solid pellets are essentially non-irritating to the skin and eyes, though dust can cause mechanical irritation.
• Ingestion: The material has very low oral toxicity. However, swallowing pellets can pose a choking hazard or, in larger quantities, lead to gastrointestinal blockage.
• Inhalation: Vapors and fumes released during high-temperature processing may cause respiratory irritation. Processing areas must be equipped with adequate general or local exhaust ventilation.

First-Aid and Fire-Fighting Measures

First Aid:

For eye contact with dust, flush thoroughly with water. For skin contact with molten polymer, immediately cool the affected area with large amounts of cold water or an ice water stream. DO NOT attempt to remove the solidified polymer from the skin, as this can cause severe tissue damage. Seek immediate medical attention for all thermal burns.

Fire Fighting:

Suitable extinguishing media include water fog, fine spray, foam, dry chemical, and carbon dioxide extinguishers. When fighting a polymer fire, dense smoke containing potentially toxic and irritating combustion products (e.g., carbon monoxide) will be generated. Firefighters must wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear.

Handling, Storage, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Handling and Storage:

Handle in well-ventilated areas. Practice rigorous housekeeping to control dust and prevent spills. Keep away from open flames and other sources of ignition. Store in a dry location.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Safety glasses are recommended as a minimum. When handling molten material or in areas where thermal contact is possible, insulated gloves and protective clothing are required. If dust or process fumes are generated above acceptable limits, appropriate respiratory protection (e.g., an air-purifying respirator with a particulate filter) should be used.

Environmental and Disposal Considerations

DOWLEX™ 2047G is a water-insoluble polymeric solid that is expected to be inert in the environment. It is not readily biodegradable but may undergo slow surface photodegradation upon exposure to sunlight. In aquatic environments, the pellets are expected to float. While not considered ecotoxic, the pellets can be ingested by waterfowl and other aquatic life, causing mechanical harm or blockage. The material is a thermoplastic and can be recycled in polyethylene recycling streams.

Product Stewardship and Use Limitations

Dow Medical Application Policy

Dow maintains a strict policy regarding the use of its products in certain medical applications. As stated in technical literature, Dow will not knowingly sell or sample DOWLEX™ 2047G for any commercial or developmental application that is intended for:

• Long-term or permanent contact with internal bodily fluids or tissues, where "long-term" is defined as contact exceeding 72 continuous hours.
• Use in cardiac prosthetic devices, regardless of the duration of contact. This includes, but is not limited to, pacemaker leads, artificial hearts, heart valves, and ventricular bypass-assisted devices.

It is the sole responsibility of the medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturer to determine the suitability and safety of the product for any specific medical application through appropriate testing and risk assessment.

General Disclaimer and User Responsibility

The information and data presented in this document are based on controlled laboratory testing and are believed to be reliable. They are offered in good faith but without guarantee, as the conditions and methods of use of Dow products are beyond Dow's control. The values provided represent typical properties and should not be interpreted or used as binding specifications.

Prospective users are strongly encouraged and are responsible for conducting their own tests to determine the suitability of DOWLEX™ 2047G for their specific processes, applications, and end-use environments before adopting the material on a commercial scale.