Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if a thermoformed packaging part could be made more environmentally friendly. The goal was to replace the material originally qualified for a packaging tray-virgin polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) copolyester-with a material which was then being recycled. The prime replacement material was polyethylene terephthalate (PET), possibly as virgin resin but preferably with a high recycled content, since that would have a more favorable environmental impact. Both virgin and 100% recycled PET were evaluated and compared with the PETG sheet.
Important enduse properties for this transparent packaging tray were evaluatedincluding haze, gloss, impact strength, tensile strength and effects of orientation. Package drop testing was conducted to confirm the data from the mechanical property tests. Thermoforming trials demonstrated that both PET and recycled PET could be formed with state of-the-art equipment to provide adequate impact strength and other requirements of the final part.
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