Irradiated biaxially oriented film

1. A multilayer packaging film formable into a pouch by heat sealing for use in food preparation consisting essentially of:

(1) an inner sealing layer comprising at least 50% by weight of a copolymer of propene, and at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butene-1, methylpentene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and mixtures thereof, said copolymer having a propene content of at least 60 wt. %, a Tm between about 100° C. and about 145° C., a: Mw/Mn of between 1 and 5, and n-hexane extractables of less than 5 wt. %;

(2) a second layer in contact with the inner sealing layer comprising:

(a) at least 10 wt. % of a first copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, said copolymer having a density of from 0.900 to 0.915 g/cm 3 and a melt index of less than 2 dg/min.,

(b) at least 10 wt. % of a second copolymer of ethylene with from 4 to 18 wt. % of a vinyl ester, alkyl acrylate, acrylic or methacrylic acid, and

(c) from 0 to 60 wt. % of a third copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 3 -C 8 α-olefin having a density less than 0.900 g/cm 3 and a melting point of between 65-98° C.; and

(3) an optional third layer comprising a protective outer layer.

2. The film of claim 1 wherein the third layer comprises nylon.

3. The film of claim 1 wherein the third layer comprises at least 50% by weight of a copolymer of propene, and at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butene-1, methylpentene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and mixtures thereof, said copolymer having a propene content of at least 60 wt. %, a Tm between about 100° C. and about 145° C., a Mw/Mn of between 1 and 5, and n-hexane extractables of less than 5 wt. %.

4. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C.

5. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Tm is between about 120° C. and 130° C.

6. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 4 wt. %.

7. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

8. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

9. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

10. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

11. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

12. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

13. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

14. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

15. The film of claim 1 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

16. The film of claim 15 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

17. The film of claim 15 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

18. The film of claim 15 wherein in the copolymer of the inner sealing layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

19. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C.

20. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Tm is between about 120° C. and 130° C.

21. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 4 wt. %.

22. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

23. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

24. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

25. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

26. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

27. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

28. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

29. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

30. The film of claim 3 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

31. The film of claim 30 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

32. The film of claim 30 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

33. The film of claim 30 wherein in the copolymers of the inner sealing layer and the outer layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

34. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 20% at 90° C. in at least one direction.

35. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 30% at 90° C. in at least one direction.

36. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 25% at 90° C. in both directions.

37. The film of claim 1 wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 30% at 90° C. in a first direction and a shrinkage of more than 44% at 90° C. in a second direction.

38. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 32% at 90° C. in a first direction and a shrinkage of more than 48% at 90° C. in a second direction.

39. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film excludes a core oxygen barrier layer.

40. A multilayer packaging film having at least four layers arranged in sequence comprising:

(1) a first layer comprising at least 50% by weight of a copolymer of propene, and at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butene-1, methylpentene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and mixtures thereof, said copolymer having a propene content of at least 60 wt. %, a Tm between about 100° C. and about 145° C., a Mw/Mn of between 1 and 5, and n-hexane extractables of less than 5 wt. %;

(2) second and fourth layers each comprising:

(a) at least 10 wt. % of a first copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, said copolymer having a density of from 0.900 to 0.915 g/cm 3 and a melt index of less than 2 dg/min.,

(b) at least 10 wt. % of a second copolymer of ethylene with from 4 to 18 wt. % of a vinyl ester, alkyl acrylate, acrylic or methacrylic acid, and

(c) from 0 to 60 wt. % of a third copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 3 -C 8 α-olefin having a density less than 0.900 cm 3 and a melting point of between 65-98° C.; and

(3) a third layer comprising at least 80% by weight of at least one copolymer of vinylidene chloride with from 2-20 wt. %, based on said copolymer, of vinyl chloride or methyl acrylate.

41. The film of claim 40 wherein the first layer comprises a propylene-ethylene copolymer.

42. The film of claim 40 wherein the first layer comprises at least 75% by weight propylene-ethylene copolymer.

43. The film of claim 40 wherein said propene content of the first layer copolymer is at least 80% based on the weight of the copolymer.

44. The film of claim 40 wherein said propene content of the first layer copolymer is at least 90% based on the weight of the copolymer.

45. The film of claim 40 wherein the first layer consists essentially of propylene-ethylene copolymer.

46. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C.

47. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 120° C. and 130° C.

48. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 4 wt. %.

49. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

50. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

51. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

52. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

53. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

54. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

55. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

56. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

57. The film of claim 40 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

58. The film of claim 57 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

59. The film of claim 57 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

60. The film of claim 57 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

61. The film of claim 40 wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 20% at 90° C. in at least one direction.

62. The film of claim 40 wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 30% at 90° C. in at least one direction.

63. The film of claim 40 wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 25% at 90° C. in both directions.

64. The film of claim 40 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 30% at 90° C. in a first direction and a shrinkage of more than 44% at 90° C. in a second direction.

65. The film of claim 40 wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 32% at 90° C. in a first direction and a shrinkage of more than 48% at 90° C. in a second direction.

66. The film of claim 40 , wherein the film consists essentially of four layers.

67. The film of claim 40 , wherein the four layers are in said sequence and in contact.

68. A multilayer biaxially oriented heat-shrinkable packaging film comprising:

(1) a first layer comprising at least 50% by weight of a copolymer of propene, and at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butene-1, methylpentene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and mixtures thereof, said copolymer having a propene content of at least 60 wt. %, a Tm between about 100° C. and about 145° C., a Mw/Mn of between 1 and 5, and n-hexane extractables of less than 4 wt. %;

(2) a second layer comprising:

(a) at least 10 wt. % of a first copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, said copolymer having a density of from 0.900 to 0.915 g/cm 3 and a melt index of less than 2 dg/min.,

(b) at least 10 wt. % of a second copolymer of ethylene with from 4 to 18 wt. % of a vinyl ester, alkyl acrylate, acrylic or methacrylic acid, and

(c) from 0 to 60 wt. % of a third copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 3 -C 8 α-olefin having a density less than 0.900 g/cm 3 and a melting point of between 85-98° C.; and

(3) a transition layer between and in contact with said first layer and said second layer, the transition layer comprising:

(a) at least 20% by weight of a fourth copolymer of propene, and at least one α-olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butene-1, methylpentene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and mixtures thereof, said copolymer having a propene content of at least 60 wt. %, a Tm between 100° C. and 145° C., a Mw/Mn of between 1 and 5, and n-hexane extractables of less than 4 wt. %;

(b) at least 20% by weight of a fifth copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, said copolymer having a density of from 0.900 to 0.915 g/cm 3 and a melt index of less than 2 dg/min., and

(c) from 0 to 60 wt. % of a sixth copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 3 -C 8 α-olefin having a density less than 0.900 g/cm 3 and a melting point of between 65-98° C.

(4) a third layer that is a moisture barrier layer comprising at least 80% by weight of at least one copolymer of vinylidene chloride with from 2-20 wt. %, based on said copolymer, of vinyl chloride or methyl acrylate.

69. The film of claim 68 wherein the transition layer comprises at least 50 wt. % of either the fourth copolymer or the fifth copolymer.

70. The film of claim 68 wherein the transition layer comprises about 3% of the total thickness of the film.

71. The film of claim 68 wherein the first layer comprises a propylene-ethylene copolymer.

72. The film of claim 68 wherein the first layer comprises at least 75% by weight propylene-ethylene copolymer.

73. The film of claim 68 wherein said propene content of the first layer copolymer is at least 80% based on the weight of the copolymer.

74. The film of claim 68 wherein said propene content of the first layer copolymer is at least 90% based on the weight of the copolymer.

75. The film of claim 68 wherein the first layer consists essentially of propylene-ethylene copolymer.

76. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is about 100° C. and 130° C.

77. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 120° C. and 130° C.

78. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 4 wt. %.

79. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

80. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

81. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

82. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

83. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

84. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

85. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6; wt. %.

86. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., and the Mw/Mn is less than 3.

87. The film of claim 68 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Tm is between about 110° C. and 130° C., the Mw/Mn is less than 3 and the n-hexane extractables are less than 2.6 wt. %.

88. The film of claim 87 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the Mw/Mn is between 1.5 and 2.5.

89. The film of claim 87 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer the n-hexane extractables are less than 2 wt. %.

90. The film of claim 87 wherein in the copolymer of the first layer-the n-hexane extractables are less than 1 wt. %.

91. The film of claim 68 further comprising:

a fourth layer comprising:

(a) at least 10 wt. % of a seventh copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, said copolymer having a density of from 0.900 to 0.915 g/cm 3 and a melt index of less than 2 dg/min.,

(b) at least 10 wt. % of a eighth copolymer of ethylene with from 4 to 18 wt. % of a vinyl ester, alkyl acrylate, acrylic or methacrylic acid, and

(c) from 0 to 60 wt. % of a ninth copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 3 -C 8 α-olefin having a density less than 0.900 g/cm 3 and a melting point of between 65-98° C.

92. The film of claim 91 , wherein the film consists essentially of said layers.

93. The film of claim 68 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 20% at 90° C. in at least one direction.

94. The film of claim 68 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 30% at 90° C. in at least one direction.

95. The film of claim 68 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 25% at 90° C. in both directions.

96. The film of claim 68 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 30% at 90° C. in a first direction and a shrinkage of more than 44% at 90° C. in a second direction.

97. The film of claim 68 , wherein the film has a shrinkage of more than 32% at 90° C. in a first direction and a shrinkage of more than 48% at 90° C. in a second direction.