High Barrier Plastic Plugs

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.

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Fluorinated PE Plugs

BLOOM SEAL® Fluorination Process

Plastic plugs

BLOOMSEAL® Fluorination 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. Bloom Packaging Pvt. Ltd.

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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.

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Wide range of aggressive chemicals can be packed.

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Cost efficient as compared to PTFE Plugs.

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Superior durability with lighter weight.

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Greater versatility in design compared to PTFE Plugs.

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Better Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR).

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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.

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Fluorinated Plastics are approved by FDA for Direct Food Contact Applications.

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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 Varnish Special Coatings Thinners Melamine Finish Industrial Paints

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Marine – Primers Paint Removers Epoxy – Lacquers Paint Additives Heat Resistant 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. Bloom Packaging Pvt. Ltd.

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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: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.bloompackaging.com

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