METHOD FOR LONGITUDINAL STRETCHING A FILM IN SOLID STATE AND APPARATUS TO CARRY OUT THE METHOD

Method and apparatus for longitudinal orientation of thermoplastic film material (20) comprises a width-reduction zone upstream of the longitudinal stretching zone (9, 10), through which the width of the film is gradually reduced so as to allow longitudinal stretching without necking. The width-reduction zone comprises at least two sets of pleating rollers (7, 1) comprising intermeshing grooves or discs for pleating the material. The downstream (1) rollers comprise a mini-roller defined by the following measures a) the pitch of the corrugations, measured from middle of tip to middle of each neighbouring tip is 20 mm or less; b) the perimeter from middle of a tip to the middle of each neighbouring tip measured along the corrugated roller surface, divided by the said pitch is in the range between 1,10 and 1,80; and c) the diameter of the mini-roller, measured at the tips of the corrugations, is at the highest 4 times the said pitch. Preferably a pair of mini-roller sets is arranged on opposing sides of the film in reciprocating mounts enabling alternate entwining of the film around one then the other mini-roller. The method allows achievement of high tensile strength, yield point, resistance to tear propagation and puncture resistance, especially for polyethylene and polypropylene films.