A Simple Guide to Buying Plastic Bottles
What are Plastic Bottles?
A plastic container is a jar built from high-density or low-density plastic. Plastic containers are regularly used to store fluids, such as water, sodas, engine oil, cooking oil, medication, cleanser, milk, and ink.
The size of these units varies from extremely little containers to huge carboys. These containers may have handles molded or are shaped to facilitate grip. The greatest advantage of plastic jars over glass containers is that they offer protection from breakage during the manufacturing process and transportation.
How are they made?
Plastic container manufacturing happens in multiples stages. Commonly, the plastic jugs used to hold consumable water and different beverages are produced using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) since the material is both solid and light.
Polyethylene (PE) features high-thickness, which is why it is utilized for making unbending plastic containers, such as cleanser bottles and squeezing bottles. Polypropylene (PP) is utilized for pill bottles and so forth.
Polycarbonate (PC) is utilized for refillable water bottles and similar reusable containers. To understand the manufacturing procedure, it is useful to initially understand the compositions of PET, PE, PP, and PC and how these materials affect the making of plastic bottles.
The main phase of a regular 2-stage Reheat and Blow Machine (RBM) bottle producing process is known as injection shaping. Plastic pellets are plasticized in the barrel of an injection forming machine where the plastic is softened by heat. The plastic is then infused into multiple cavity molds where it assumes the shape of long, thin tubes.
When the bottle (or, in consistent manufacturing, bottles) has cooled down and got into a certain shape, it is removed from the mold. The plastic bottles are then prepared for transportation or filling.
Types of Plastic Materials Used
Before you go ahead and make a choice, we suggest that you consider types of materials used for the making of plastic bottles. Given below are some of the common materials that manufacturers use for this purpose.
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Polyethylene Terephthalate is a thermoplastic polymer that can be either opaque or transparent depending upon the material composition. Likewise, with most plastics, PET is created from petroleum hydrocarbons. To produce plastic jars, the PET is first polymerized to make long molecular chains.
When the plastic itself has been made, the bottle manufacturing procedure can start. To guarantee that the PET is appropriate for use, various tests are done post-manufacturing to ensure that the containers are impermeable via carbon dioxide.
Apart from this, different variables like transparency, shine, shatter resistance, thickness, and pressure resistance, are also monitored.
Low- and High-Density Polyethylene
Another thermoplastic, polyethylene is utilized for assembling blow-molded milk and water containers, cleanser bottles, ketchup bottles, and so on. Both LDPE and HDPE can be thermoformed, blow-formed, infusion shaped, and so forth. HDPE is utilized for some types of plastic jars, given that it has higher rigidity.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a typically opaque, low-density polymer with excellent thermoforming. For bottles, it competes very well against polyethylene and can be made see-through for transparent applications. Polypropylene cannot match the optical clarity of polymers, for example, polycarbonate. However, it does a great job.
Polycarbonate
It is an expensive material compared with other jug making polymers. So, the application of this material is restricted to very good quality reusable jugs, such as nursing bottles or those found on water coolers or in lab settings.
The material has great optical properties and quality, which makes it appropriate for bottles that must show their substance with the transparency of glass but should have the ability to cope with routine mishandling.
Important Things to Look Out For when buying plastic bottles
While choosing plastic jars, there are a couple of areas you have to focus on. This is particularly significant for bottles to be used for storing edible things. You need to guarantee your bottles are tough and safe for your items.
Here are some significant tips for choosing the best bottle according to your need.
BPA free: Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical used to make plastic items. This chemical has been utilized since the 1960s However, recent research has indicated that the substance can leach into food and fluids contained in affected plastics.
Clean Thoroughly: Make sure to check with the seller that the containers and jars are properly sterilized, as the bottles go through different processes and places before ending up with up you.
Personal Inspection: Before purchasing, make sure that the plastic bottle doesn't have areas of mold marks or any other physical issues.
Container Sizes: Plastic jars come in a variety of sizes ranging from as small as 30ml to mid-range sizes of 500ml and 1000ml. So, make sure that you get the correct size according to what is to be stored in them. For instance, storing 1 glass juice in a 1000ml container might not work the best. So, it may be recommended to get a 300ml container.
Types of Lids: Plastic bottles and jars come with a variety of lids. Mainly of these include flip tops, twist caps and spray caps. Other containers might also be squeezable. All these lids are for different products to be stored in them. For example, a dense liquid might be best stored in a squeezable container as it will be easier to handle.
The Takeaway
So, you're prepared to purchase a plastic bottle but choosing the correct bottle shape and size can feel overwhelming. There is a great deal of factors to consider and not all containers are suitable for what you need them for. Therefore, we suggest that you consider this guide before placing your order.
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