Many plastic materials are used as supports in several industries. However, manufacturers must understand how to test low quality or high quality plastic products. Otherwise, it will be dangerous for consumers, especially in food production.
In addition to knowing how to test low quality or high quality plastic products fast and thoroughly, the plastic product must apply several symbols. This is the implementation of the information disclosure function for consumers.
Consumers can see the type of plastic used by the manufacturer on the code number inside the triangle mark. Here is a brief explanation of the code:
1. PET
Plastic with code 01 or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is recommended for single use only. This type of PET is usually widely used for mineral water bottles, cooking oil bottles, juice, chili sauce bottles, or several types of bottles from Castalia plastic products distributor.
2. HDPE
Plastics with a code of 02 or HDPE (High-density Polyethylene) are also recommended for single use, usually used for medicine bottles, lubricating jerry cans, cosmetic bottles, etc. This plastic material can prevent chemical reactions with packaged food/beverage.
3. PVC
Plastic with code 03 or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is the most dangerous substance and challenging to recycle, usually used for water hoses, building pipes, toys, plastic tablecloths, shampoo bottles, etc.
4. LDPE
Plastic with a code of 04 or LDPE (Low-density Polyethylene) this type of plastic is suitable for storing food. Its physical characteristics are soft and flexible. If it is burned, it will smell of wax. It is usually used for crackle bags, plastic lids, and frozen meat wrapping plastics.
5. PP
Plastic code 05, or PP (Polypropylene or Polypropylene), is the best material for food and beverage containers. Its physical characteristics are shiny and transparent but not clear or cloudy.
Usually used for plastic cups, bottle caps, milk bottles, beverage bottles, children's toys, etc.
6. PS
Plastic coded 06 or typed PS (Polystyrene). Suppose oily food is heated in this container. In that case, it produces a substance called styrene which can move into food, and styrene can also be made by cigarette smoke and vehicle fumes.
7. Other
Plastic coded 07 or Other (O), and other types of plastic other than no. 01 – 06. This type of plastic includes Polycarbonate, which contains Bisphenol-A, which has the potential to damage the hormone system and is also harmful to the body.
Many ways that manufacturers can determine the quality of plastic before using it as supporting material. The method below is often used to assess high and low quality plastic.
1. Plastic Resin Method
Verifying plastic resin is one of the ways how to test low quality or high quality plastic products fast and thoroughly. Manufacturers can determine the quality of raw plastic by using this method.
The identification of plastic resin is carried out to check the chemical properties so that the plastic is detected as high or low quality. Furthermore, it will be known whether the plastic is suitable for use or not.
2. Checking Raw Material
Plastic-making materials can still be categorized as applicable or can be used if they are in the form of resin or fiber. If the material is a resin, the manufacturer or researcher must look at its viscosity and moisture level.
While the fiber material the main thing to consider is the strength of the stitches. The examination requires cutting-edge technology, even using nuclear magnetic spectroscopy.
Gel or liquid chromatography can be applied to ensure the quality of plastic products. This application is carried out because the molecules contained affect the viscosity of the material very well.
The molecular weight is inversely proportional to the high viscosity level, which indicates the degree of thickening. In addition, the level of humidity is also a factor that affects the level of thickening.
3. Ultrasonic Inspection
The method of how to test low quality or high quality plastic products is ultrasonic inspection. This advanced method becomes a way to test the quality of materials. This inspection uses sound waves with ultra-high frequency.
Technically, sound waves will expose the plastic's internal weaknesses, such as cracks. The device used is an electrical transducer to release sound waves. In addition, water is also used.
How to test low quality or high quality plastic products fast and thorough works is unique, namely by observing sound waves along the plastic material. The tide will show changes when it passes through a gap or a low-quality plastic state.
Visualization of the results of this study is displayed on the monitor screen. Generally, the low quality of the plastic detected is small cavities or the presence of contaminants. In addition, there is also an inaccurate design that will also be seen as low quality.
4. Radiographic Test
The method of how to test low quality or high quality plastic products is using a radiographic test. Quality control involves exposing a plastic material to a radiation beam through a radiographic examination.
At the same time, recording is also carried out to measure the intensity of radiation as it passes through the tested plastic material. The radiation beam will determine the high and low quality of the product.
The radiographic test procedure is standard for checking plastic quality before entering the mass production stage. X-rays show a certain intensity that will appear on a visual image.
In addition to cavities, contaminants and uneven fibers will also cause poor quality. All these shortcomings will be seen when this radiographic test is applied.
5. Acoustic Inspection
The way these inspections work is similar to ultrasonic. Sound waves will detect low-quality plastic materials. Good emission will help detect the presence or absence of deficiencies in the tested plastic material.
This method will detect microscopic cracks, i.e., even excellent crack conditions. Thus, this method will be very detailed to see the high and low quality of the plastic.
As one of the ways to test low quality or high quality plastic products, acoustic inspection places sensitive transducers on the surface of plastic materials. After that, the transducer will record the data to be visualized.
Some of the methods above are often applied by large-scale plastic manufacturers. However, in pursuing production, manufacturers must also pay attention to how to test low quality or high quality plastic products. Thus, the needs of consumers are met in quantity and quality.
