presentation_final.pptx

Polymer Degradation During Storage of Polymers and

Plastics

Poly-DegradationHamzah Mukhtar

Panu Noppari

Emmi Suhonen

24.10.2014

http://dunesme.com/rack.html

Table of Content

• Introduction to packaging• Key factors• Levels of packaging

• Raw materials• Thermosets• Thermoplastics

• Ready made products• Medical and food packaging• Product examples

• Storage conditions• Degradation mechanism

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Packaging: Key Factors to Consider (1/2) • Mechanical properties

• Tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, impact strength, surface friction, viscoelasticity

• Optical properties• Exposure to light

• Chemical stability• The extent of which a polymer is suitable for direct

contact with different products

Packaging: Key Factors to Consider (2/2)• Environmental stress

• Combined effects of stress and an aggressive environment

• Moisture and gas barrier• Water vapor transmission rate (WVTS)• Oxygen transmission rate (OTR)

• Temperature• Thermal degradation

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Packaging: Different Levels

• Primary packaging• Materials in direct

contact with the product• Materials surrounding

the product • Secondary packaging

• Used to group primary packages together

• Shelf-ready packaging• Tertiary packaging

• Used to group secondary packaging

• Roll cages, crates, pallet packaging

http://globalscorecard.gs1.org/gsclive/guide_to_ecr_ssc03.aspx

Raw Materials

18.04.2023 6http://www.shuman-plastics.com

Raw Materials

• Factors that affect reactivity• Particle size and shape• Temperature, moisture• Isomer percentage • Crystallinity • Molecular weight & distribution• Water diffusion • Metal impurities, impurities

Raw Materials

• Thermoplastics• No special demands for storage conditions• Usually place that is protected from light and heat• Granulates

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Raw Materials

• Special cases• Moisture absorbent thermoplastics

• Protected from moisture• Packed in aluminum coated packages

• Raw materials treated with propellant• Propellant is usually pentane or heptane• Limited storage time• Cool place otherwise propellant can be evaporated

• Liquid raw materials• Thermal degradation occurs in too high temperatures• Raw material must not harden

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Raw Materials• Thermosets

• Usually components are monomers or small molecular compounds in a liquid state

• Good shelf-life

• Special cases of thermosets• Resin compounds

• Limited storage time• Separating can occur if components have different densities

• Phenol-formaldehyde based adhesives• Limited storage time• Low storage temperature

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READY MADE PRODUCTS

http://www.openelectrical.org

Storing & Packaging Products

- What are the barrier requirements: gas, moisture, UV,

- How chemical resistant must the packaging be: acidic,

alkaline, greasy, inert,

- Is the product hazardous: poisonous, high/low pH,

- Expected shelf-life of the product

- What are the physical properties: solid, liquid, gas,

- Is transparent packaging required?

- What temperature will the product be filled?

- What temperature must the product be stored?

http://www.arabiansupplychain.comhttp://drsircus.com/medicine/sodium-bicarbonate-baking-soda/alkalinity-ph-2

Product Examples

• How to affect product requirements and storing of products

[Emblem, A., Emblem, H. Packaging Technology Fundamentals, materials, processes. Cambridge, UK 2012, Woodhead Publishing Limited] (pp.353 and 357)

Medical Packaging: Demands

• Mechanical strength• Tear and puncture resistant etc.

• Resistance to sterilization techniques• Sterilization by ethylene oxide, steam or gamma

radiation• Nontoxic

• Prevent leeching of toxic compounds from packaging to product

• Medium and high barrier protection• Against moisture transmission, oxygen permeability

Material Example

• Cyclic olefin copolymer• High strength and clarity• Excellent moisture barrier• Resistance to

• Polar solvents, acids and alkalis• High cost

• Limited use to packaging pharmaceutical and medical applications

• Product examples• Pre-filled syringes, vials, ampules

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http://reiloyusa.com/industry-applications/cyclic-olefin-copolymers/

Food Packaging

• Barrier properties are crucial to estimate and predict product-package shelf-life

• Oxygen transmission rate (OTR)• Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR)• Carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO2TR)

• Vacuum packaging• Air removed

• Modified air packaging• Nitrogen or carbon dioxide atmosphere• Lowers pH and hinders oxidation

http://www.wisegeek.com

Storage Conditions

http://freightfilter.com

Mechanical Degradation• Shock

• Reduce the amount of handling• Cushioning materials

• Vibration• Accurate dimensions when sizing packaging• Reduce contact points

• Compression• Warehouse conditions static compression• Transportation: dynamic compression

• Can be correlated to indicate long-term stacking performance

• Puncture• Hardness and tear resistance

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Stress Distribution

18.04.2023[Emblem, A., Emblem, H. Packaging Technology Fundamentals, materials, processes. Cambridge, UK 2012, Woodhead Publishing Limited]

19

Photodegradation• Exposure to visible light, UV-radiation

• UV filter incorporated into packaging materials• Opaque primary/secondary packaging

• During storage• Outside storage

• shades, tertiary packaging• Indoor storage

• lighting controlled, dimmer sections• Retail stores (most likely hazard)

• Products are on display• Dummy products

http://gimmelego.blogspot.fi/2011/04/bleach.html

Chemical Degradation

• Polymers chemical reaction with its surrounding environment• Presence of acids, alkalis, alcohols • pH greatly affects hydrolysis degradation rate

• Storing products • Indoor storage

• Hygiene upkeep of storage• Pests• Product placement (dissolution)

• Outside storage • Rain• Ground substances

Weather: Temperature

• Interdependent hazards• Temperature and humidity• High temperature air can hold more moisture without

condensation occurring• Encountered throughout the supply chain

• Storing and transportation• More hazardous shipping goods between continents • Cold truck to a warm indoor storage

• Poor control of storage conditions• Doors/windows left open• Wrong product location

http://www.klingecorp.com/products

Weather: Humidity

• Most apparent in cellulose-based packaging• Paper and board packaging • Hydrophilic

• Protection function of packaging• Strength characteristics can drop very rapidly• Compromises stacking strength

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Weather: Minimizing Effects

• Temperature• Heaters, coolers, • Temperature resistant materials• Insulation

• Humidity• Removing humidity• Moisture resistant packaging/coatings

• Ventilation• Air condition

• Truck, forklift exhaust • Windows, open doors

http://fixitrightmb.ca/services.htm#airconditioning

http://www.store-it.co.nz/temperature-controlled-storage

Hygiene

• Dirt, Dust• Concrete floor, easy clean up• Storage surroundings, asphalt

• Rodents, Insects• Urine, saliva, feces• Pest control

• Hygiene upkeep• Use of solvents, detergents• Chemicals can damage stored

products

http://expcep.com/en/bulletin/concrete-degradation-part-2-chemical-attacks/

http://www.epoxytec.com

Summary

Interfaces

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Storing Conditions

ProductRaw

Material

Preservation Method Packaging properties

Cooling Chilling

Freezing

-Must withstand storage temperature without degradation

-Light barrier (retail lighting)

-Toughness, puncture (display handling)

-Withstand blast freezing and storage temperature

-Appropriate moisture barrier to prevent freezer burn(dehydration and oxidation)

Heating Sterilization (steam)Hot filling

-Temperature and pressure resistant-Thermal shock resistant

Drying Air drying, heat drying, salting -Moisture barrier (avoid dehydration, avoid permeation) -Chemical resistance

Chemical Pickling/alcoholOxygen scavengers

-Chemical resistance, -Identifying chemical properties

Varying oxygen levels Vacuum packagingModified Air Packaging (MAP)

Gas barrierPuncture resistance

IrradiationNon-ionizing radiation

Gamma ray, X-rayUV Light

Resistance to ionizing radiation

References

• [Chanda, M., Roy, S.K. Plastics Technology Handbook. 4th ed. In: Hudgin, D.E. (ed.). Plastics Engineering. Boca Raton. 2007, CRC Press.]

• [Emblem, A., Emblem, H. Packaging Technology Fundamentals, materials, processes. Cambridge, UK 2012, Woodhead Publishing Limited]

• [Lange, J., Wyser, Y. Recent Innovations in Barrier Technologies for Plastic Packaging – a Review. Packaging Technology and Science 16(2003), pp.149-158]

• [Siracusa, V., Rocculi, P., Romani, S., Dalla Rosa, M. Biodegradable polymers for food packaging: a review. Trends in Food Science & Technology 19(2008), pp.634-643]

• [TTY/Muovi- ja elastomeeritekniikan laitos. MOL-1500 Polymeerit. 2005. 242s.]

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Thank You!