Fluorinated PE Plugs

New Trends in Packaging – Fluorinated PE Plugs

By Bhupendra Singh - Bloom Packaging Pvt. Ltd.

Introduction

Polyethylene has been successfully used in Plastic containers as an efficient material for
packing products for various industries and it has been a preferred material of choice for the
development of new products.
Chemicals ranging from solvents and various solvent based formulations like pesticide,
insecticides, herbicides, hazardous and corrosive chemicals pose problems of corrosion, ESCR
cracking, dissolution and disintegration of the plastic materials which is in direct contact with these
chemicals, when they are packed directly in plastic container or in case of plugs used inside the
Aluminium, Glass or Tin Containers.
To overcome this drawback, Bloom Seal Containers Pvt Ltd (BSCPL) has developed
LDPE / HDPE or Polyethylene Blended Plugs which are treated with Fluorine gas to form
High Barrier Fluorinated Plastic plugs. These Plugs exhibit excellent resistance to solvents and
to a wide range of aggressive chemicals and better corrosion resistance.

BloomSeal® Barrier Plugs

Other applications of the high barrier technology include diverse applications such as fuel
additives, flavors and fragrances to name a few.

Principle of Fluorination Process: Fluorination of Plastic Plug is basically a surface modification

process, which result in the substitution of hydrogen molecules by fluorine molecules, whereby
bulk properties of fluorine treated plastic Plug remains unchanged.

H F F F
H C H F C F
H F

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Fluorinated PE Plugs

BLOOM SEAL® Fluorination Process

BLOOMSEAL®
Fluorination
Plastic plugs Process Fluorinated Plug

The surface fluorination of plugs results in change of the surface properties of polymer
drastically, while the bulk properties of the polymer remain almost unchanged.

The section of plastic Plug treated by off line fluorinated process consists of (1) A
fluorinated layer (2) A boundary transition layer (3) Virgin or untreated Plastic layer as shown in
figure from surface to inside.

In BLOOM SEAL® Fluorination Process for plugs; the majority of the chemical reactions
occur within this transition boundary layer and the majority of the physical and chemical
properties such as density, refractive index, and chemical composition etc. of the polymer are
mainly only changed within this layer. The layers can be schematically represented as shown
below in Figure 1.

1 and 5: Fluorinated Layers

2 and 4: Boundary Transition Layer
3 : Virgin Plastic Layer

Figure 1: Layers of Fluorine on the Plastic Plug.

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Fluorinated PE Plugs

Mechanism of Product Losses by Evaporation of the liquids through the Plastic Plugs is as given in
Figure 2A below, and after the Fluorination the improvements in the barrier property is represented
in Figure 2B.

Before Fluorination After Fluorination

The permeability rate of liquids through polymeric Plug is a function of various

parameters. The fluorination changes the characteristics of the polymer in terms of polarity,
cohesive energy density and surface tension. This in turn has a major effect in reducing the
wetting, dissolution and diffusion of non-polar solvents relative to the polymer as shown in figure
2 which helps in retaining your valuable product inside the container.

Thus, fluorination is effective in minimizing the product losses of non polar solvents and
chemicals through a polymer Plug surface. Since fluorination modifies only those polymer
molecules near the surface, there is no measurable change in the mechanical properties such as
tensile strength and impact resistance.

Advantages of Fluorinated Plastic Plug

• Excellent solvent and moisture resistance.

• Wide range of aggressive chemicals can be packed.
• Cost efficient as compared to PTFE Plugs.
• Superior durability with lighter weight.
• Greater versatility in design compared to PTFE Plugs.
• Better Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR).
• Existing Plugs can also be fluorinated using this technology.

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Fluorinated PE Plugs

• High barrier fluorinated plugs have been successfully tested for a number of agrochemicals,
solvents and other hazardous chemicals.
• Fluorinated Plastics are approved by FDA for Direct Food Contact Applications.
• Advantages of Fluorination process is that it is completely dry process and plastic articles
of any shape can be treated, which makes this process more versatile.

Packaging of Pesticide, Insecticide, Herbicides chemicals

Fluorinated Plastic Plugs are widely used in packaging of Pesticide, Insecticide and
Herbicide Chemicals because of very high compatibility with most of the pesticides or insecticides
and absence of corrosion.

Packaging of Flavors and Fragrances

Fluorinated BLOOM SEAL® flavor barrier plugs are recommended for use in packaging of
vegetable, fruit juice, tea, coffee, spices, and syrup flavors etc. which require very high flavor
barrier properties.

Packaging of Aromatic and Non Polar Solvents

Fluorinated Plastic Plugs are widely used in the Aluminum and Glass Containers for
packaging of aromatic and non-polar chemicals.

Packaging of Solvent based Adhesives

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Fluorinated PE Plugs

Fluorinated Plastic Plugs are very useful in the Aluminum and Tin containers for packaging
of solvent based adhesives as well as reactive adhesive components which are presently packed.

Packaging of Inks, Paints and Thinners

Fluorinated Plastic Plugs are also used in the Inks & Paints industries for the following
solvent based chemicals which are packed in Tin containers or Aluminum bottles having following
applications.

• Wood Coats • Marine – Primers

• Varnish • Paint Removers
• Special Coatings • Epoxy – Lacquers
• Thinners • Paint Additives
• Melamine Finish • Heat Resistant Paints
• Industrial Paints • Synthetic Enamel Paints

These plugs exhibit very high chemical and corrosion resistance to most of the chemicals.
BLOOMSEAL® Fluorinated plugs show very good stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) to most of
the chemicals. The high barrier plugs is and added advantage as it provides perfect barrier to the
solvents and chemicals packed in the container.

Note: It should be noted that combinations of certain chemicals in a specific formulation may cause a reduction in
the effectiveness of a fluorinated barrier. Therefore, it is recommended that all formulations be thoroughly tested by
the method previously described prior to the final choice of packaging material.

About us
At Bloom, we make innovative packages and designs that have revolutionized the liquid
packaging concept in India. It is the passion for innovation and excellence that motivates us to
create containers, closures and plugs that will stand out as packaging modes of the future.
Manufacturing:
Bloom has established state of the art Blow Molding and Injection Molding facilities
complemented by highly Qualified and Experienced Technical team for customer support.
Quality:
From concept to designing … to workmanship to final finish, the Bloom Plugs undergo rigorous
quality checks and performance tests, so that the Plugs bearing our name stands out as perfect in
every aspect. Bloom has sophisticated manufacturing facilities at Daman just 200 kms away
from Mumbai and another facility at Jammu to serve our customers situated in the North region
of India, with Head Office at Mumbai.

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Fluorinated PE Plugs

Mold :
We have inhouse capability to develope and maintain the molds.
Designing :
Bloom will be glad to assist in designing, testing and mold development of Plugs for its
customer.

Enquiries:
For further details or enquiries kindly get in touch with our Mumbai office at:
Bloom Packaging Pvt. Ltd.
Ready Money Terrace, 167, Dr. A. B. Road, Worli, Mumbai – 400 018
Tel No. : 022-24970561, 32501137, 32501128 Fax No. 022-24938826
Email: bloompak@rediffmail.com, bloompack@rediffmail.com
Website: www.bloompackaging.com

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