If you process plastic or polyolefin films, you’ll know that friction is one of those problems that never quite goes away.
Film layers sticking together, surfaces dragging against metal rollers, and packaging lines slowing down or jamming can all trace back to the coefficient of friction (CoF). Managing it well can make a real difference to the quality and yields of your output.
Slip additives are the standard answer, and Erucamide and Oleamide are the two you’ll encounter most often. They’re both effective, both derived from vegetable sources, and both used at similar loading stages. But they behave quite differently in practice. Understanding their differences will help you pick the right one or decide whether a combination of both makes more sense for your application. That’s what this article is all about.
How slip additives work
Slip additives for plastics work through a process called migration. After you’ve processed your film, the additive gradually moves from within the polymer matrix to the surface, where it forms a thin lubricating layer. This surface layer reduces the measure of resistance (CoF) between two surfaces moving against each other.
CoF matters because even small reductions can have a significant effect on how your film runs downstream. Lower CoF means less drag between the layers of film, smoother interaction with rollers and guides, and better performance on high-speed production lines.
The key variable between Oleamide and Erucamide is how quickly this migration happens and how long the effect lasts.
Oleamide: fast action when you need it
Oleamide is an unsaturated fatty acid amide. The speed at which it migrates to the film surface is what sets it apart. It gets there quickly, helping to reduce CoF after extrusion.
For applications where you need slip performance to develop almost immediately, such as form-fill-seal packaging, high-speed converting lines, or anywhere where the film goes straight into a downstream process without much lag time, Oleamide is usually the first port of call.
It has a melting point of around 73°C and is available in beads, microbeads or pastilles, giving you flexibility in how you introduce it, whether that’s directly in the polymer production process, via a masterbatch, or during the compounding step. Typical use levels run from 0.1% to 0.4%, adjusted to your specific end-use requirements.
However, because Oleamide migrates quickly, its surface effect can diminish faster than Erucamide’s over time. For most high-speed packaging applications, that’s not an issue, as the film is processed and used relatively quickly. But if you need slip performance that holds up over a longer period, you might want to look at Erucamide, or a blend of the two.
Erucamide: slower migration, longer-lasting performance
Erucamide’s defining characteristic is that it migrates at a slower rate than Oleamide. Its CoF reduction builds up more gradually at the surface. But once it’s there, it lasts longer. This makes Erucamide a better fit for applications where sustained slip performance matters. It’s perfect for films that need to maintain low CoF throughout storage, transit and end-use, rather than just at the point of manufacture. It’s also the more versatile of the two in terms of compatibility with other substrates. You can use it in LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE and EVA, and it’s also recommended for PP film and injection moulding applications, which gives you more flexibility across your product range.
It has a higher melting point than Oleamide, around 83°C, which makes it a more natural choice where thermal stability is a consideration. Like Oleamide, it’s available in beads, microbeads, pastilles or pellets, and can be introduced during the additivation, masterbatch or compounding stages.
Choosing the right slip additive for your application
There’s no universal right choice between Erucamide and Oleamide. It depends on what you’re making, how you’re processing it and what you need the film to do once it leaves your line.
If you need slip performance to develop fast and you’re working primarily with LDPE or LLDPE film, Oleamide is the more straightforward option. It delivers rapid CoF reduction and works well at the lower processing temperatures typical of these polymers.
If you need longer-lasting performance, you’re working across a broader polymer range, or your processing conditions run hotter, Erucamide is likely the better starting point. Its slower migration profile replenishes the lubricating layer at the surface more steadily over time, which translates to more durable performance in the field.
You can also use the two together. Blending Oleamide and Erucamide lets you balance fast initial slip development with longer-term durability. This combination makes sense for applications where you need good runnability straight off the line and sustained performance throughout the product’s shelf life.
Both slip additives are also compatible with the same processing routes (masterbatch, additivation or compounding), so introducing a blend won’t require any significant changes to your processes.
Raw material origin and quality
Both Erucamide and Oleamide, in their refined forms, are derived from vegetables, which is relevant for manufacturers with bio-based sourcing commitments or customers asking questions about the origin of their raw materials.
They’re widely used in food packaging applications and are listed under various food contact regulations, including EU Regulation 10/2011 on plastic materials in contact with food, which was retained in UK law post-Brexit. However, you should always verify the regulatory status of the specific grade you’re using and confirm its suitability for your application and market.
High-purity grades give you more consistent migration behaviour, a better odour profile and more predictable CoF performance from batch to batch. Lower-purity material can introduce variability that’s difficult to diagnose once it starts showing up.
It’s also worth noting that both materials can form soft agglomerates during storage or transit, particularly at higher ambient temperatures or with finer particle sizes. This is a normal characteristic of fatty acid amides and doesn’t affect performance. The agglomerates break up easily when needed.
How MegaChem (UK) can help
Here at MegaChem (UK), we supply both Erucamide and Oleamide as part of our slip additives portfolio for plastics and polyolefins. If you’re specifying slip additives for a new application or reviewing your current supply, our team is happy to work through the details with you. Get in touch to discuss your requirements or to request a sample.
