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CPS University | Terminology 101CPSU: Learn more about styles, types, materials, and terms
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AUTOCLAVING STERILIZATIONA process that sterilizes items, supplies, and equipment by subjecting them to high pressure steam at 250° F (121° C) or more. Due to the high damp heat, some plastics cannot be sterilized by autoclaving because they will melt. Other sterilization methods can be used for these plastics. See Sterilization. Return to top BOROSILICATE GLASSThis formulation of glass has a high silicate content and at least 5% boron oxide. Pyrex® is a common borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is much more resistant the thermal shock (hot and cold temperatures) than any other common glass. See Glass. Return to top EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDINGA molding process by which heat-softened resin pellets are forced into a hollow tube-like shape. While soft, a mold closes around the soft tube, pinching the base and top closed. The tube is now capsule-shaped. A tube is then pierced through one end of the capsule and inflates the capsule to take the shape of the enclosing mold. Generally speaking, bottles made from PE (HDPE, LDPE, MDPE) and PVC are made from this process. See Mold Seam and Injection Blow Molding. Return to top F-STYLEF-style is a container that usually has a handle, is either square or oblong in shape, with an opening offset from the center. Common uses: antifreeze bottles, liquid laundry detergent bottles, liquid dishwashing containers View all F-Style products at CPSReturn to top F217A type of foam liner made of PE found in caps and lids.View all F217 products at CPS Return to top F217&PSA type of liner made of polyethylene (PE) and pressure-sensitive.View all F217 and PS products at CPS Return to top FIBERA paper based product. The interior of fiber drums is typically treated to hold liquid or dry products.View all fiber products at CPS Return to top FINISHThe part of a bottle that hold the cap, stopper, or closure. The area that has the threads or thread finish. A bottle and its corresponding cap(s) must have a matching finish or neck finish. A 53-400 bottle must be fitted with a 53-400 closure. The first number (in this example: 53) refers to the nominal diameter measured across the inside of the cap at the opening in millimeters. The second number, 400, refers to a specific thread style. Return to top FLAME TREATEDBathing the plastic container in an open flame to promote the oxidation of the surface so that it is receptive to inks, lacquers, paints, and adhesives. Return to top FLUORINATIONA treatment for plastic containers that prevents container paneling and distortion and reduces odor emission and chemical permeation. Also reduces flavor or fragrance loss. Some products that use fluorinated bottles include: acetone, auto additives, lighter fluids, degreasers, health and beauty care products, insecticides, kerosene, lubricants, paint thinners, plant food products, waxes, cleaners, polishes, weed killers, herbicides, wood preservatives. See Paneling. Return to top FOAM/FOILA type of pressure sensitive liner. When placed in the matching lid, and screwed onto the matching container, this liner provides a tamper-evident seal on the container. Subsquently, the lid can be unscrewed from the container, but the liner must be peeled off.View all foam/foil products at CPS Return to top GLASSThe most common form of glass (soda-lime glass) is a manufactured material formed when a mixture of sand, soda, and lime is heated to a high temperature and assumes a molten, or liquid, state. Glass is impermeable and nonporous; keeping product sanitary and tamper-evident. Glass that contains boron oxide is called borosilicate glass. See Borosilicate Glass. Return to top HDPEHigh-Density Polyethylene HPDE is made from hydrocarbons found in petroleum. HDPE is flexible yet more rigid, has a stronger intermolecular force and tensile strength than low-density polyethylene (LDPE). It is also harder and more opaque and can withstand somewhat higher temperatures: 120 °C for short periods, 110 °C continuously. HDPE has a good impact strength, a good resistance to stress crack, chemicals and vapors. However, HDPE is a poor gas barrier. Its natural color is milky white and semi translucent depending on its density. Its SPI resin identification code number is 2. Common uses: milk jugs, distilled water, large vinegar bottles, grocery bags, liquid laundry and dish detergent, fabric softener, motor oil, antifreeze, bleach and lotion View all HDPE products at CPSCompare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top HISHeat Induction Seal A heat induction seal is a lid liner that contains a metallic disk that hermetically seals the top of plastic and glass containers. This is a non-contact process that takes place after the container has been filled and capped. An induction sealing machine is necessary to make the HIS liner adhere to the container neck. View all HIS closures at CPS Return to top INJECTION BLOW MOLDINGA molding process by which resin pellets are heat softened and fed into a mold cavity to create a preform (a test tube shaped container with neck threads). This preform is then transferred to a blow mold (or cavity) where air is blown into the preform to create the shape of the blow mold. Generally speaking, bottles made of PET undergo this process. See Mold Seam and Extrusion Blow Molding. Return to top INJECTION MOLDINGA molding process for thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics where resin pellets are fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the mold cavity. Containers and closures made of Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) typically are formed using this process. Return to top LDPELow-Density Polyethylene LDPE is made from hydrocarbons found in petroleum. Its tensile strength and density is lower, but its resilience is higher than high-density polyethylene (HDPE). LDPE is very flexible and has a natural milky color and is translucent. LDPE has high impact strength, a good chemical resistance, and acts as a good barrier for water and alcohol. LDPE, however, is a poor gas barrier. It can withstand temperatures of 80 °C continuously and 95 °C for a short time. It can be translucent or opaque, is flexible, tough, and almost unbreakable. Its SPI resin identification code number is 4. Common uses: dry-cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners, food storage containers, squeezable products View all LDPE products at CPSCompare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top MDPEMedium Density Polyethylene Medium density polyethylene is less dense than HDPE (high density polyethylene) and more dense that LDPE (low density polyethylene).View all MDPE products at CPS Return to top METALMost metal products offered by Container & Packaging Supply are made of tin or aluminum. Both tin and aluminum are resistant to oxidation (rusting) and corrosion.View all metal products at CPS Return to top MOLD SEAMPlastic bottles will have two lines directly across from each other which is formed at the point of contact of the two mold halves. Return to top NICKEL PLATEDNickel is a silvery white metal that takes on a high polish. Because of its permanence in air and its inertness to oxidation, it is used to coat other metals. It is magnetic, and valuable for the alloys it forms, particularly stainless steel.View all nickel-plated products at CPS Return to top PANELINGDistortion of a plastic container that occurs during aging or storage, caused by the development of a reduced pressure inside the container. When a container has paneled, it indicates that some part of the product has evaporated through the walls of the container. Paneling can be reduced by fluorinating the container prior to filling. See Fluorination. Return to top PAPERPaper that is recyclable and biodegradable, used for decorative and practical packaging.View all paper products at CPS Return to top PAPERBOARDOften called corrugated fiberboard or cardboard, although cardboard might be any heavy paper-pulp based board. Paperboard is a paper-based material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. It is widely used in the manufacture of corrugated boxes (cardboard boxes) and shipping containers.View all paperboard products at CPS Return to top PEPolyethylene A type of plastic resistant to water, acids, alkalis, and most solvents. It's classifications range in density: low (LDPE), medium (MDPE) and high (HDPE). Common uses: shower curtains, unbreakable bottles, pipes, pails, large drums, drinking glasses, insulation for wire and cable View all PE products at CPS PETPolyethylene Terephthalate PET or PETE is of the polyester family and is used in beverage, food and other liquid containers. PET can be semi-rigid to rigid and is very lightweight. It acts as a good barrier to alcohol (requires additional "Barrier" treatment) and solvents. PET also has a good gas barrier and a fair moisture barrier. It is not good for strong bases or strong acids, however. It is strong, impact-resistant, and naturally colorless and transparent. PET has good stress crack and impact resistance at room temperature and above. Its SPI resin identification code number is 1. See phthalates. Common uses: soft drink bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars, products containing essential oils, some fruit juices, alcohol beverage bottles, space blankets, ketchup bottles, wine View all PET products at CPSCompare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top PHENOLICA group of thermosetting resins usually compression molded. Phenolic has good strength and toughness, good arc resistance and other electrical properties, good resistance to solvents and high temperatures, and is bargain-priced.View all phenolic products at CPS Return to top PHTHALATESPhthalates are a plasticizer, a plastic additive that increases flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. There are hundreds of types of phthalates. Orthophthalates are often used to soften PVC (poly vinyl chloride) and are being phased out of many products due to health concerns. Terephthalates, however are added to polyethylene to create PET (poly ethylene terephthalate), which is not health hazardous. See PET. Return to top PLASTICPlastics are made of hydrocarbons, typically derived from petroleum or natural gas. Crude oil or petroleum is a fossil fuel (i.e. Coal, petroleum and natural gas), which means it was made naturally from decaying plants and animals. Petroleum contains hydrocarbons, which are molecules containing hydrogen and carbon. Chemically cross-linking different hydrocarbon chains can create plastics, rubber, auto gasoline, diesel fuel, paraffin wax and more. There are two types of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosets. See thermoplastics and thermosets. Return to top PLASTISOLPlastisol is a vinyl material placed on the sealing surface of a metal closure. When plastisol lined caps are placed on their compatible containers, the heated plastisol liner solidifies, creating a seal between. Plastisol should not be exposed to temperatures above approximately 190°F (88°C); as it may deform or come loose from the lid. Please test a sample.View all plastisol products at CPS Return to top POLYCONEThe item has a securely mounted polyethylene cone-shaped liner which offers a two part seal. The closure forms a seal around the rim and the polycone forms a seal against the inner diameter of the container opening.View all polycone products at CPS Return to top PPPolypropylene PP is often used for food packaging. It is not as tough as HDPE, but it is less brittle. PP is less flexible than LDPE, somewhat stiffer than other plastics, reasonably economical, and can be translucent, opaque, or of any color. Its natural color is opaque, natural grayish-yellow. PP has very good resistance to fatigue, stress crack, and impact. PP is an excellent moisture barrier, a good alcohol and oil barrier, but poor gas barrier. PP has a melting point of 320 °F (160 °C). Food containers will not melt in the dishwasher or during industrial hot filling processes. Its SPI resin identification code number is 5. Common uses: bottle caps, drinking straws, hinged containers, battery cases, dairy tubs (e.g. sour cream, cottage cheese), cereal box liners View all PP products at CPSCompare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top PPEPolyphenyl Ether Also known as polyphenylene and polyphenylene oxide (PPO), PPE is a type of polyether. The most common form of PPE is a plastic resin. PPE is compatible with polystyrene (PS) and is blended with PS over a wide range of ratios. View all PPE products at CPS PSPolystyrene PS is made from petroleum. Pure solid polystyrene is a colorless, rigid plastic with limited flexibility. It can be cast into molds with fine detail. Polystyrene can be transparent or can be made to take on various colors. I has a good resistance to inorganic chemicals. It is light and heat stable and nontoxic. It has poor impact and stress crack resistance and poor barrier properties. Its SPI resin identification code number is 6. Common uses: bottle caps, drinking straws View all PS products at CPSCompare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top PS LinerA type of pressure sensitive liner. When placed in the matching lid, and screwed onto the matching container, this liner provides a tamper-evident seal on the container. Subsequently, the lid can be unscrewed from the container, but the liner must be peeled off.View all PS Liner products at CPS Return to top PVCPolyvinyl Chloride PVC is a widely used thermoplastic polymer. It can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely used being phthalates. Common uses: plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink-wrap, water bottles, salad dressing containers, liquid detergent containers View all PVC products at CPSCompare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top PVLFPulp and Vinyl Lubricated Finish This vented liner allows air and/or gasses to pass through to prevent the container from swelling, paneling, or leaking.View all PVLF products at CPS Return to top RECYCLINGPlastic and glass can be recycled. Most plastic containers have an SPI resin identification code on them. Inside this logo is a number that informs the consumer what material the container was made from (1-7). All plastics fixed with these codes inform the consumer on which recycling streams these items should be discarded. Recycling for all plastic products may not be available in all areas. Most household glass containers are manufactured from a soda-lime glass formulation. All soda-lime glass can be recycled. Borosilicate glass must not be mixed and recycled with soda-lime glass. Again, recycling for all products may not be available in all areas. Return to top RUBBERAn elastic material obtained from the latex of various plants (e.g. the rubber tree) and then treated and modified into various products.View all rubber products at CPS Return to top SFYPSealed For Your Protection An SFYP liner is a pressure sensitive liner and usually has "Sealed For Your Protection" printed on it. View all SFYP products at CPS STEELSteel is an alloy consisting mostly of iron and partly of carbon. All steel pails are coated with a thin phenolic layer.View all steel products at CPS Return to top STERILIZATIONThe process of killing microorganisms to make a container or cap safe to fill. There are three basic approaches used to sterilize plastics. Ethylene Oxide (EtO), Autoclave, and Gamma Radiation. Tests should always be run on plastics to determine which method is most suitable. Not all plastics can and should be sterilized by the same method. See Autoclaving Sterilization. Return to top THERMOPLASTICSThere are two types of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics will repeatedly soften when heated and harden when cooled. Some examples of thermoplastics are the resins: polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, PE, MDPE, PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinylchloride (PVC). See Plastic and Thermosets or read more about thermoplastics. Return to top THERMOSETSThere are two types of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermosets keep their shape at high temperatures, although they will char. Some examples of thermosets include: polyurethanes (mattresses, insulation, toys), unsaturated polyesters (varnishes, furniture, boats), and epoxies (glues, coating for electrical circuits, helicopter blades). See Plastic and Thermoplastics or read more about thermosets. Return to top UREAUrea-formaldehyde or Urea-methanal is a transparent plastic, made from urea and formaldehyde heated in the presence of a mild base such as ammonia or pyridine. Urea's attributes include high tensile strength, low water absorption, high surface hardness, elongation at break, and volume resistance. Common uses: adhesives, finishes, and molded objects View all urea products at CPSView all PE products at CPS Compare plastics at Plasticology 101 Disclaimer: test your product Return to top |