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.

Bloom Packaging Pvt. Ltd.

CH

H

H

H

1

CF

F

F

F

F F


BLOOM SEAL® Fluorination Process

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.


Plastic plugsBLOOMSEAL®Fluorination Process

Fluorinated Plug

2


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.

High barrier fluorinated plugs have been successfully tested for a number of agrochemicals,

solvents and other hazardous chemicals.

Bloom Packaging Pvt. Ltd. 3


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

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

• 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.

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:




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


http://www.bloompackaging.com/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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High Barrier Plastic Plugs