Applications of polymer composites

packaging

Polyethylene (PE)

packaging

- The most used plastic in containers and

packaging.

-There are 03 groups:

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): The most used in

containers Facilitates the thermocycling (simple
bags).

PEMD (Medium Density Polyethylene): Most used

in applications that require greater rigidity. Higher cost than the LDPE.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): Work up to T ° of 120 ° C, the product can be sterilized. More rigid than
the previous 02.

Permeable to O2 and low fat - resistance to fats. Its combustion generates water and CO2

- Good protection against moisture and water depending on the density used.

- It retains its flexibility at very low temperatures (-50 ° C).

- When the extrusion is at very high T °, it generates objectionable odors.

- It is also extruded as a coating for papers and cartons.

- Uses: Bags of all kinds, bottles, jars, flexible tubes, boxes, cages, barrels.

Polypropylene (PP)

- More rigid than PE, with greater resistance to rupture.

- Softening temperature reaches 150 ° C, useful for

sterilization of products.

- It can be heated or boiled together with sandwiches.

- Used in manufacturing closures.

- It is perfectly transparent and impervious to moisture

and most of aromas.

- Difficult to heat seal unless co-extruded with PE.

- The most common application is in bags and woven sacks (raffia type).
 Polystyrene (PS)

- Obtained by polymerization of styrene.

- Perfectly transparent it is very permeable to

water vapor and gases

- Due to its low impact resistance, it is covered

with synthetic rubber or butadiene, losing its
transparency, obtaining an aspect whitish.

- Allows blowing, injection, extrusion, thermoforming.

- Used in trays, cans, containers for yogurt, as a film for legumes wrap fruits and vegetables, as a filling
material inside packaging containing delicate objects.

Polyesters (PET)

- Plastics of linear esters that offer great

mechanical resistance

- Can withstand T of 300 ° C

- Very good barrier against water vapor and

solvent resistant organic

- Difficult to seal, so we work coextruded with PE.

- Coated with a PVDC film to reduce gas

permeability and smells

- Together with aluminum and PE, it is excellent as a vacuum container for coffee, meats, etc.

- Polyester low PET form is used for beverage bottles carbonated

- PET has the same transparency and brightness of glass, resistant to oils and fats

- PET has good impact resistance and internal P.

- Amorphous PET (APET) is very rigid, resistant to abrasion, impacts, interference, tearing and repeated
push-ups. Used in cardboard plastic, transparent trays, hinged covers.
Polyamide (PA)

- Excellent mechanical and heat resistance

- Co-extruded with PE to facilitate sealing

- It is widely used in sterilized articles for hospitals, in

multi-layer packaging (vacuum for cuts of fresh meat or
cheeses)

- The registered version is called rayon.

Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)

There are 02 classes:

RIGID PVC:

- Impermeable to water vapor and gases,

resistant to fats.

- Used in thermo-formed containers for

butter, etc.

- Because of its transparency, it is used in

bottles for mineral water, oils table and
fruit juices, containers for cosmetics.

PLASTIFIED PVC:

- Used in packing meat and fresh fish,

strapping loads palletized, packed discs.

It presents a low thermal stability, it is improved using stabilizers that in some countries are prohibited
when they are in contact with food.

Poly Vinylidene Chloride (PVDC)

- Excellent barrier for gases, water vapor, O2 and CO2.

- Resists fats and chemicals.

- Very used in laminates with paper and cardboard.

- It can be sealed to heat.

- It is the plastic with the best protection property.

- Used where moisture affects. Exm: The biscuits.

Regenerated Cellulose (Cellophane)

- Produced from a very pure chemical pulp, of vegetable origin.

- Mixed with solvents is granted greater consistency

- Resistant to water steam, heat-sealable, transparent, used in the textile

and clothing industry for its transparency and rigidity

- It is used permanently in confectionery.

Cellulose Acetate (AC)

- Because of its brightness and transparency, it is used to put windows in opaque

containers, gift boxes, book covers, record sleeves, brochures, etc.

- It is stable in various humidity conditions.

Recoverable plastic containers

The identification of recoverable plastic containers is achieved by observing the codification of the
American Identification System SPI, which appears in the base of the containers surrounded by three
arrows like the Mobius circle: (Gonzales)
Bibliography
Gonzales, G. E. (n.d.). Materiales para envases y empaques. Peru.