Patent ID: 8436085

Claim:
A method for improving the barrier properties of a polyethylene film, said method comprising the step of: converting into a film a mixture comprising a substantially linear, high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a long chain branching index (LCBI) less than or equal to 0.5 and a melt flow ratio (MFR) less than or equal to 65, and a nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol alkoxide salts, hexahydrophthalic acid salts, and mixtures thereof, wherein the nucleating agent is present in an amount within the range of about 0.01 wt. % to 1 wt. % of the weight of the substantially linear, high density polyethylene, wherein the film has at least a 15% improvement, compared with a control film which is made from the same substantially linear HDPE but does not contain the nucleating agent, in the water vapor barrier property or in the oxygen barrier property.