Impact of food processing techniques, relative humidity and percent loadings on oxygen permeability and mechanical properties of montmorillonite nanoclay

This study evaluates the effects of high-pressure processing (HPP), retorting, relative humidity (RH), and montmorillonite nanoclay loading on the oxygen barrier and mechanical properties of nylon 6 nanocomposite films. Surface-modified Nanomer® I.30 T nanoclay was incorporated at 0–8 % (wt/wt) into nylon 6 to produce cast films that were evaluated for oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and tensile properties (strength, modulus, elongation). HPP-treated films showed the lowest oxygen permeability, while retorting slightly reduced tensile strength with no material changes in modulus or elongation. Findings inform the design and processing of nylon-based nanocomposite packaging.