Jader Martinez2 - 216006 - 3
Jader Martinez2 - 216006 - 3
Jader Martinez2 - 216006 - 3
Abstract: Polymers are finding new opportunities in the controls that are required to ensure consistency of supply
packaging every day. The inventiveness of the polymer is achieved. To convert polymers into useful packaging
producer and the converting machinery manufacturer has seen requires specialized equipment and an understanding of their
plastics become the most used packaging material on a value chemistry and properties. Polymers are converted into films.
basis. Plastic packaging is replacing metal retort cans, glass coatings. trays, bottles, jars, cans. closures and blister
bottles, paperboard cartons and even corrugated cases. It packs. They are combined together through extrusion.
provides barrier, ensuring food is kept safer for longer, coinfection and lamination processes; combined with paper
reduces the weight of packaging, provides convenience, and aluminum foils; coated with other polymers and
transparency where required, and still undergo many chemical and physical treatment processes;
only uses less than 4% of oil resources. This chapter will
all with the aim of changing their properties to suit the needs
provide the understanding of how polymers can be used on
their O\l.'11, or combined together to form packaging for all of the marketplace. [1]
needs.
I. INTRODUCTION
Plastics are an essential part of modern life. Major
industries depend on them and products as varied as cars,
aero planes, electronic equipment, textiles. furniture,
household goods. jeweler, shoes and clothing all use
increasing quantities of plastics in their construction. Plastics
used in packaging are just as widespread, from the commonly
used plastic bottles and caps for milk and soft drinks, to the
films used to pack a range of goods such as bacon,
confectionery, nuts and bolts and textiles. and the rigid
boxes/cases used for CDs and computer games. Polymers, are
highly versatile. A major advantage of plastics is that they
can be combined together to provide packaging which is
lightweight yet provides the barriers required. is tough and
strong yet can be made easy to open. Most plastics used today
are copolymers rather than photopolymers and are
increasingly supplied in multiple layers rather than as
monolayer. Using special techniques, plastic components
can be produced to closely rival the absolute barriers
available from metal and glass. This scientific article will
examine the processes required to make flexible, semi-rigid
and rigid packaging formats for a variety of applications and
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Compared with other packaging material, plastic is generally material available from 1 kg of resin. For any given
lighter in weight, more easily formed into different shapes, and thickness of film. this area can be calculated from the data
extremely versatile. This versatility is largely responsible for in Table 13.5. It can be seen that material densities vary
their growth in usage: the ability to carefully tailor the considerably and this must be taken into account, along with
performance of a plastic container to the needs of the product, the price per ton of resin, when comparing alternatives for a
the market and the demands of the supply chain means that given end use. [1]
there a ‘plastic’ solution to almost all packaging problem. [1]
When considering the performance of plastic materials, the III. THE COMMON PACKAGING PLASTICS
properties of most interest in packaging applications, and their
relevance in use, are summarized as follows [1] The ability to tailor material performance to requirements has
already been emphasized as one of the most significant
Tensile strength and elongation contributors to the growth in use of plastics in packaging and
Tear strength it is the case that most solutions are to be found
Impact strength amongst polyethylene’s, polypropylene. polyvinyl
Surface friction chloride. polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate Even
Viscoelasticity allowing for inaccuracies in data collection, it is clear that
Optical properties these materials dominate the packaging market. [1]
Chemical stability
Environmental stress cracking The polyethylene family of plastics
Moisture and gas barrier
Temperature Ethane (H2C=CH2) is a gaseous by-product of the process
Heat seal ability of cracking of long chain hydrocarbons to produce much
Density sought-after products such as petrol and aviation fuels. The
development of polyethylene (original trade name Polythene)
and its commercialization in the 1940s/1950s have already
been mentioned as an important milestone in the
development of plastics for packaging. [1]
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V. processing methods
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