1. PET Bottle Preform Barrier Property Solution: Multi-layer

Multi-layer method is also defined as complex injection method. Inject PET backings, and then, inject barrier material through hot mold core to form central barrier layer. This method requires high skills of the operator and strict quality control.

2. PET Bottle Preform Barrier Property Solution: Raw Material Blending

Input barrier material directly into the PET raw materials, which is favorable for standard bottle preform process systematically with the prepared materials. This method requires no other processing measures, and requires little of the operator. However, the blended barrier material would reduce the transparency of the PET bottles and result in turbidity.

3. PET Bottle Preform Barrier Property Solution: Coating

Coating is to plasma coat on the inner and outer sides of the molded bottle preform, this processing is usually quite complicated.

4. PET Bottle Preform Barrier Property Solution: Multi-molding

This method starts from the interior molding, and makes multi-layer molding during equal processing period. Multi-molding method is quite complicated since it requires every layer to be very thin; however, in actual application, mold core may be deviated by the pressure differences and failed to realize even thickness. Besides, when the first molding period finishes, the bottle preform has to be transmitted to another molding chamber for further molding. This process is accomplished through rotation, and would easily lead to peel of layers. This problem has been resolved by some companies: when changing molding chamber, several lines of mold cores moves in the parallel way which replaces the rotation and avoids layer peeling.

The above-mentioned progress and applications on PET bottle preform barrier performances and technologies have paved the way for carrying out of various barrier performance solutions. High barrier performance is closely linked to barrier performance testing. When testing the barrier performances of PET packages and PET bottle preforms, Oxygen Permeability Rate Tester is a useful tool. Labthink introduces Labthink PERME OX2/230 Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System for PET bottle and PET bottle preform barrier property testing.

Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) is the most common testing for barrier property testing of PET bottle and PET bottle preform. ASTM F1307, GB/T 19789 and other equal pressure testing methods are applicable. Isolate the transmission chamber with the pre-conditioned specimen to form two separated gas flow system: the testing gas flows outside the PET bottle or the bottle preform (testing gas can be pure oxygen, or the gas mixture with oxygen); high pure carrying gas flows inside the bottle or bottle preform. Though the two sides are of the same pressure, the oxygen partial pressures are different. Due to the oxygen concentration differences, oxygen transmits through the package, and is carried to the sensor which would bring forward accurate oxygen quantity in the carrier gas flow so as to calculate oxygen transmission rate.

Labthink PERME OX2/230 Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System can provide thorough oxygen testing means for barrier property of PET bottle and PET bottle preform. Besides, this instrument is of master-satellite mode, a master preform can support nine satellite modules; thus, 30 specimens can be tested at the same time. Its testing accuracy and technology have both achieved world advanced standard.

Further details please feel free to contact Shirley via:
TEL: 0086-531-85061080
FAX: 0086-531-85062108
EMAIL: trade2@labthink.cn
SKYPE: shirley-labthink
MSN: shirleywu_labthink@hotmail.com

More about Labthink(http://www.labthink.cn/en):
Labthink focusing on the laboratory testing instruments R&D and production and laboratory IT services, is dedicated to provide professional quality control solutions for customers in packaging, food, pharmaceutical, medical, daily chemistry, printing, adhesive, automotive, petrochemistry, bioscience, construction, new energy and other industries.

The principle of volatile corrosion inhibition is by using VCI, volatile corrosion inhibitor which can be evaporated under normal temperature so as to achieve saturation in the closed environment; VCI molecules are absorbed onto the metal surface to form a transparent protection film of several molecules thick after complicated physical and chemical reactions. This transparent protection layer is water proof, difficult to be dissolved and thus, can stop further corrosion. Evaporated VCI molecules can reach anywhere in the package with best anti-rust performance. VCI plastic material is manufactured by polyolefin resin with VCI under processes.

Volatile corrosion inhibiting film testing should adopt US military specification MII.PRF-22019D “Barrier Materials, Transparent, Flexible, Sealable, Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor Treated” and other domestic and international standards.

1.VCI Thickness Testing

Whether the thickness of VCI plastic film is even or not is the basic for VCI film and its performances. Uneven thickness would affect the tensile strength, permeation of different parts of the package; and would affect the following processing. Thickness testing methods are varied. For VCI plastic film thickness measurement, ISO 4593 and GB/T 6672-2001 are applicable.

Labthink PARAM CHY-C2 and CHY-CA Thickness Testers are both high precision thickness testers for VCI plastic film thickness testing with the resolution upto 0.1um. Labthink PARAM CHY-CA Thickness Tester, besides its high precision, high efficiency and other characteristics and functions to similar PARAM CHY-C2, is equipped with automatic feeding system to satisfy the constant and effective testing requirements of the clients with greater testing efficiency.

2. VCI Plastic Film Impact Testing Instruments

VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibition) plastic film impact property and its control could avoid package breakage owing to the insufficient toughness, so as to effectively get rid of product rustiness caused by inferior impact or shock resistance of the VCI plastic packages during circulation.

VCI plastic film impact testing is in compliance with ASTM D3420, GB/T 8809-1958 and other international standards. Labthink PARAM FIT-01 Film Impact Tester is in strict compliance with these standards and with more advanced functions. For example, Labthink PARAM FIT-01 Film Impact Tester is of pneumatic specimen clamping and pneumatic pendulum releasing, which is completely different from other products that are manual clamping. Pneumatic clamping is rapid and effective with even clamping force on the four sides of the film, and will not slide during impact with inaccurate results. Besides, the precision of PARAM FIT-01 Film Impact Tester is up to 0.001J, whereas other impact testers are mostly of mechanical type with low precision through reading the graduation on the board.

3. VCI Plastic Film Tear Resistance Testing

The VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibition) packaging material may be torn by exterior forces during storage and transportation. Sufficient tear resistance can reduce the transmission of tear and avoid rusting caused by leakage. The testing for tear performances of VCI packaging material is of Elmendorf method; and Labthink PARAM SLY-S1 Tearing Tester can be applied for this test. This tester is computer control, display and horizontal adjustment that guarantees reliable and accurate testing results; the unique ‘3-ring’analysis technology can help the operators with more direct analysis and evaluation.

4. VCI Seal Performance Testing

VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibition) packages, owing to strict requirements, its seal performance testing is quite important. Seal performance is defined as the characteristic of avoiding alien substance entering into or contents coming out of the package. Usual testing methods are as follows:

4.1 Underwater Decompression Method:

Labthink PARAM MFY-01 Leak Tester is on underwater decompression method according to GB/T 15171-94 Test Method for Leaks in Sealed Flexible Packages. Put a certain amount of distilled water into the vacuum chamber, and put the sealed vacuum container into the distilled water completely. Then, set the testing pressure and testing time. Usually, the vacuum degrees are 20, 30, 50 and 90 kPa, etc. Start testing. When the leak tester has reached a certain vacuum degree, stop vacuumizing and observe. The inner-out pressure difference of the specimen will cause inferior quality specimen leak so as to test leakage.

4.2 Pressured Testing Method

Labthink PARAM LSSD-01 Leak and Seal Strength Detector is of pressured testing method. Imposing high pressure gas into the vacuum container and test the pressure resistance, sealing degree and leak indexes so as to test integration and seal performance of the vacuum container.

Labthink, the excellent provider of testing instruments and testing services, is devoted to provide most excellent and complete quality control solutions for pharmaceutical, foodstuff, cosmetics, packaging, printing, adhesive, automotive, petrochemistry, environment, biology, new energy, construction, aviation and electronic industries worldwide.

5. Barrier property testing

Barrier property is defined as the barrier performance of packaging material against liquid or gas permeable substances. The entry of oxygen would greatly increase the possibility of oxidization of metal contents, and the water vapor barrier property is of even more importance.

For gas barrier property, Labthink introduces PERME VAC series Gas Permeability Testers and Labthink PERME OX2/230 Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System that comply with relevant ASTM, ISO or GB standards (such as GB 1038 and GB 1037). For water vapor barrier property testing, Labthink PERME TSY-T series Water Vapor Permeability Testers and Labthink PERME W3/330 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System are applicable.

Further details please feel free to contact Shirley via:
TEL: 0086-531-85061080
FAX: 0086-531-85062108
EMAIL: trade2@labthink.cn
SKYPE: shirley-labthink
MSN: shirleywu_labthink@hotmail.com

More about Labthink(http://www.labthink.cn/en):
Labthink focusing on the laboratory testing instruments R&D and production and laboratory IT services, is dedicated to provide professional quality control solutions for customers in packaging, food, pharmaceutical, medical, daily chemistry, printing, adhesive, automotive, petrochemistry, bioscience, construction, new energy and other industries.

Customers worldwide(parts):

Labthink, think for you only!

1.  Current Situation of Package Barrier Property Testing

Package is one of the main forms in liquid packing. Barrier property of the package has a direct influence on quality guarantee period of products. Generally speaking, the better the barrier property of package is, the longer the quality guarantee period will be. To products such as alcohol or perfume that possess special odor, the package should have better barrier property to elements that will easily cause product deterioration, such as oxygen and water vapor. Moreover, the package should ensure that special perfume of these products would not dissipate during storage.

Because package is directly used in liquid packing, its shape and specification is very difficult to unify. That is why package testing is difficult to carry out and develops more slowly than film barrier property testing. In barrier property testing of the package, test of common gases occupies a large demand. In the past, gas permeance is estimated by testing package sheet material. However, package wall is not uniform in thickness and material nature will be changed in the process of production, which will cause certain disparity existing between estimated and actual gas permeance of the package. Among various test technologies, package oxygen permeability enjoys the rapidest development. The introduction of ASTM F 1307 standard for package oxygen permeability test method not only accelerated the research and popularization of package oxygen permeability instruments, test results also becomes more scientific and accurate, which changed the former condition of chaotic test methods and lower credibility of test data.

Except for metal cans and packing box of pulp-molded aluminum, one complete package mainly consists of bottle body and bottle cap. At present, the test of package oxygen permeability mainly aims at bottle body or bottle cap. However, to one package, so long as its bottle body and bottle cap are not one integral part, leakage of the connecting place will greatly decrease overall barrier property of package, even if both bottle body and bottle cap can achieve high barrier property. Connecting place of the bottle is like heat-sealing place of flexible package, where leakage point will cause a failure of barrier property protection to inner content. Therefore, the connecting place of package (especially the detachable package except for metal cans and packing box of pulp-molded aluminum) is one weak point of package barrier property.

2.  Integral Test of Package Barrier Property

At present, methods for overall barrier property test of sealed bottle are very rare. Based on the oxygen permeability test of common bottle body, Labthink made some improvements and has find a method for overall barrier property test of sealed bottle. Here we will take one actual test of Labthink lab as an example for explanation.

• Instrument: Labthink TOY-C1 film/package oxygen permeability instrument
• Specimen: glass bottle (metal cap)
• Test item: oxygen permeance of bottle cap and sealing place
• Test environment: standard lab environment
• In the following part, the test method is introduced step by step.

2.1 Specimen Preparation

First, prepare effective test specimen. The method of preparation is almost the same with that of bottle body oxygen permeability test, which include preparation of test instrument, specimen pretreatment and tools needed in the process of test. However, specimen placement is not the same.

When test barrier property of bottle body, the package should be laid upside down and fixed onto special bottle pedestal manufactured by Labthink. Then seal bottle neck by filling special glue into bottle pedestal in order to avoid the transmission of oxygen from connecting place of bottle pedestal and bottleneck into bottle body. Generally, the finished specimen is shown as figure 1.

Figure 1                                                                   Figure 2

In overall barrier property testing of bottle cap and bottle body, place the bottle upward on the center of tailor-made bottle pedestal (please refer to the article ‘TOY-C1 Package Oxygen Permeability Test’). Then fill the sealing glue evenly into between bottle body and bottle pedestal. Make sure that the space between bottom recess and input and output pipes is also filled with sealing glue. The finished specimen is shown as figure 2.

It should be noted that unit mounting must be carried out after the complete solidification of sealing glue. Otherwise movement of specimen may cause failure of sealing glue, i.e., failure of package sealing.

2.2 Specimen Placement and Test

Similar to the method of bottle body test, install the prepared specimen and other accessories to lower chamber of instrument (please refer to the article ‘TOY-C1 Package Oxygen Permeability Test’). Then the test can be started. The test method is completely the same with that of bottle body oxygen permeability.

Figure 3. Test condition

3. Conclusion

Oxygen permeability test method for sealed bottle introduced in this article is based on oxygen permeability test of common bottle body, among which preparation of specimen and specimen unit is the difficult points. This method can also be used for overall oxygen permeability test of metal cans and pulp-molded aluminum flexible package. Wide application of this method not only can offer great help to a comprehensive understanding of package barrier property, it can also provide data support to structure designing and cost saving of package.

Barrier property testing includes permeability testing of oxygen, water vapor and fragrant gas through cosmetic packages.

The unsaturated bonds in cosmetic ingredients are easy to be oxidized and deteriorated; the lost of moisture in the cosmetic would lead to hardening of cosmetics. Meanwhile, the fragrance of the cosmetics has great influence on the marketing of cosmetics.

• Oxygen Permeation Testing: This index is mainly for the oxygen transmission rate testing of films, laminated films, cosmetic pouches or bottles. Hereinafter, we take Labthink PERME OX2/230 Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System as the example. Clamp the preconditioned specimen in between the testing chamber, oxygen/air flows in one side of the film, and high pure nitrogen flows in the other side. Oxygen molecules migrate through the film and into the high nitrogen side, and are carried by the nitrogen flow to the sensor. With the oxygen concentration analysis of the sensor, the oxygen transmission quantity can be calculated. The testing principles of pouches and bottles are similar.

• Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing: is mainly for the testing of water vapor transmission rate of film materials and packaging containers like bottles, bags and cans. Through WVTR testing, technical indexes for control and adjustment of packaging materials can be achieved so as to meet the varied application needs. Take PERME W3/330 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing System as an example. Clamp the specimen in between the testing chamber, a flow of constant stable nitrogen flows in one side of the film and dry nitrogen flows in the other side. Owing to the humidity difference, water vapor would penetrate from the high humidity side into the low humidity side. The penetrated humidity (moisture) is carried by the dry nitrogen to the sensor, outputs electronic signal and then, calculates water vapor permeability quantity. For packaging bags and bottles, dry nitrogen flows inside the container and the outside is in high humidity state.

• Fragrance Maintenance Testing: This Index is very important to cosmetics. Once the fragrance loses, there would be great influence on selling. Take PERME OR2/410 Organic Gas Transmission Rate Test System as example. In regulated temperature, separate the chamber into two halves by the specimen, with one side as dense fragrance side and the other low concentrated fragrance side; thus, forming a concentration difference between two sides. Fragrant gas will penetrate into the low concentration side and be carried to the isolation chamber by the carrying gas. Hydrogen flame ionization detector (FID) can measure the quantity of the fragrance gas and further calculate the fragrance gas quantity in a unit area within a unit time.

For more quality control solution please feel free to contact Shirley Wu via trade2@labthink.cn, skype:shirley-labthink, MSN:shirleywu_labthink@hotmail.com or (tel)0086-531-85061080.

More about Labthink:

Labthink, the excellent provider of testing instruments and testing services, is devoted to provide most excellent and complete quality control solutions for pharmaceutical, foodstuff, cosmetics, packaging, printing, adhesive, automotive, petrochemistry, environment, biology, new energy, construction, aviation and electronic industries worldwide.

Customers Worldwide(parts):

Labthink, think for you only!