Polymer Degradation

During Storage of
Polymers and Plastics

http://dunesme.com/rack.html

Poly-Degradation
Hamzah Mukhtar
Panu Noppari
Emmi Suhonen

24.10.2014

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
24.10.2014

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

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

http://www.arabiansupplychain.com

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

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

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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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

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[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

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

Ventilation
Air condition
Truck, forklift exhaust
Windows, open doors

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

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

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

http://www.epoxytec.com

Summary

Interfaces

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Preservation

Method

Packaging properties

Cooling

Chilling

-Must withstand storage temperature

without degradation
-Light barrier (retail lighting)
-Toughness, puncture (display
handling)

Freezing
-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/alcohol
Oxygen scavengers

-Chemical resistance,
-Identifying chemical properties

Varying oxygen levels

Vacuum packaging
Modified Air Packaging (MAP)

Gas barrier
Puncture resistance

Irradiation
Non-ionizing radiation

Gamma ray, X-ray

UV 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!