PLASMAX: ​​New Barrier Coating Technology

PET bottles are favored by many beverage manufacturers because of their advantages of light weight, unbreakable, coverable storage, complete transparency, pressure resistance, no influence on filling taste, recyclability, etc. However, the limitations of its barrier properties also limit the packaging of many oxygen-sensitive or carbon dioxide-containing beverages, such as beer, milk, and red wine, which are difficult to use in PET bottles.

The PLASMAX 12D, a plasma coating device developed jointly by SIG and Schott HiCotec to create and improve the barrier properties of PET bottles, has been successfully accepted by the Bischofszell Beverage Company in Switzerland. PLASMAX Plasma Coating Equipment Advantages: The inner coating is evenly distributed, the coated bottle has an excellent barrier layer modification coefficient, and the coating is glassy, ​​colorless and absolutely transparent; the plasma build-up process is carried out in the inverted state of the bottle. Avoid contamination; process monitoring devices installed online can control and guarantee product quality.

Internal coating enhances protection

Since the special adhesive layer is applied at the beginning of the coating, there is a good adhesion between the barrier layer and the inner wall of the bottle. Even if the bottle geometry is very complex, pulsed plasma can effectively and evenly coat the SiOx barrier layer on the bottle wall. Therefore, this process achieves a very good Barrier Layer Improvement Factor (BIF) compared to uncoated bottles. Due to the firm adhesion, the advantages of the bottle wall when applied to the load and the expansion (eg creep) are better reflected.

SCHOTT's PICVD process (Plasma Pulse Chemical Vapor Deposition) is generally used for internal and external coatings. However, only internal coatings are currently used. The main advantages of the internal coating include: the barrier layer will not be damaged; the barrier layer can strengthen the protection of the beverage in the bottle from the gas contained in the bottle such as oxygen and acetaldehyde; the machine does not need to be cleaned with SIG A combination of a Corpoplast Blomax stretch blow molder is applied in a continuous production high performance turntable.

Accumulation process is reversed

In the BLOMAX stretch blow molding process, the plasma build-up process is carried out with the bottle mouth down and the bottom of the bottle upside down (bottles upside down) to avoid contamination of the bottles or contamination of the filled products due to loose particles .

According to the design, the output of the first series of equipment is 10,000 bottles/hour. Therefore, in terms of output, it can be directly used in connection with most aseptic fillers. The extremely strict tolerance requirements are complied with in the deviation of process parameters, so that reliable process control and extremely high operational safety are achieved. Ensures a high quality uniform coating without any additional process flow after the coating.

Online quality monitoring

On-line installation of process monitoring devices can control and guarantee product quality. The three-stage protection principle of the high-precision accumulating process has been practically tested in the pharmaceutical bottle production, and has been further applied and reformed in this new type of accumulating machinery.

The application of this unique process control system to PET plasma deposition not only monitors plasma ignition and compliance with process parameters, but also allows direct and reliable detection of leaks and excessive deviations in the process. For example: If the plasma does not burn or does not meet the process parameters and other phenomena, the machine will remove the bottle to ensure uniform and high quality bottle coating.

Simple and efficient control

Thanks to the configuration of a recipe memory with multiple search options and intuitive touch screen technology, the model is simple and efficient and easy for operator control. The new accumulating machine can be combined with three-shift production. The operator can operate normally only with a little training. Moreover, the maintenance of this model is very convenient and can shorten maintenance time.

Significantly reduce costs

The adoption of the new SIG plasma coating system makes the barrier-enhanced packaging market more competitive. The cost per bottle is lower than any existing process. The cost reduction is mainly due to the low material cost and the reliable mechanical properties of the machine.

Reprinted from: Huayin Media