PTI Online Academy Collection
We partner with Plastic Technologies, Inc. (Holland, OH) to help packaging and plastics professionals enhance their polyethylene terephthalate (PET) knowledge via an innovative, online educational platform.
COLLECTION OVERVIEW
Within this collection, you will find eleven individual courses that explore polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from its chemical makeup to the recycling process.
This is the first of a four part series. This session will give even a non-technical attendee the foundation needed to understand the uniqueness of PET and how its properties can be altered. It reviews polymer definitions, explains commonly used terminologies, and introduces how polymers are produced. The critical concept of amorphous and crystalline materials are explained in context with how this governs a polymer’s properties. The session concludes with a description of thermal properties and how these are important to the blow molding of PET. VIEW COURSE
The second part of this series reviews current manufacturers of PET and how this material is used to make not just bottles but fibers, filaments, and sheet goods. PET manufacture is described using today’s reliance on petroleum and natural gas to new technologies capable of producing the required monomers through bio-synthetic pathways. Current polymerization processes are reviewed that are used to produce materials with sufficiently high molecular weight, or Intrinsic Viscosity (IV) for use in bottle manufacture. The criticality of IV, from how it is measured through its impact on preform and bottle manufacture is introduced. VIEW COURSE
The third part of this PET training program reviews the uniqueness that exists among bottle grade PET materials and how PET’s properties can be altered. The conversion of PET pellets into preforms requires very diligent attention to detail that begins with the drying of PET through melt processing using conditions that minimize degradation. Various degradation mechanisms are reviewed along with a discussion on how the final preform quality is impacted by excessive loss of IV, enhanced generation of acetaldehyde, discoloration, and altered stretch characteristics. VIEW COURSE
The last of this series describes the importance of developing strain-hardened crystals during blow molding to produce bottles with optimum properties. Techniques commonly used to measure the amount of crystallinity in the bottle are discussed. The concept of the Natural Stretch Ratio (NSR) of PET is reviewed and how it must be considered when designing and blowing preforms. The concept of heat-setting is introduced in order to reduce the stress that develops in a blown bottle. Lastly, a number of common myths pertaining to PET bottles are discussed. VIEW COURSE
This course discusses container design basics and how to predict package performance. VIEW COURSE
This course describes the basic approach to designing preforms for PET bottles. The following elements are covered: estimating the wall thickness requirements for bottles, methods of calculating stretch ratios of preforms into bottles, general approach to preform design, discussion of good design attributes for injection and blow molding, and evaluation of existing preform designs within new bottles. VIEW COURSE
Many barrier solutions are commercially available for plastic bottles through passive and active barrier blends, multilayer, and coating technologies. Understanding and selecting the best option for a given product’s shelf life needs is paramount to commercial success. This course will explore methods, materials, and equipment at the forefront of barrier technologies. It will also provide an introduction to the predictive M-RULE® Container Performance Model and analytical testing methods that can be utilized to determine the most suitable barrier solution for a specific product. Though numerous technical solutions exist for PET bottles and hopes remain high for barrier alternatives, no single technology has been shown to satisfy the broad needs of brand owners and consumers. The pros and cons of each barrier technology are weighed in this presentation. In addition to bottle gas barrier technologies, closure and light barrier technologies are also examined. VIEW COURSE
The volume of rigid PET bottles returned for recycling makes PET the most recycled plastic packaging material. This course will review historical and current recycling data taking into consideration the effects of right-weighting, deposit legislation, and industry initiatives directed at increasing the recycling rate. This discussion includes a review of how PET bottles are recycled to produce both non-food grade and food grade rPET, as well as explore the problematic issues that the industry must address. Particular emphasis is placed on package design as this plays a critical role in determining if that package will be able to be truly “recycled” using today’s recycling technologies. VIEW COURSE
In this course, PET material handling and drying will be covered. In the material handling portion, the different ways to receive and transfer material will be covered. Aggressive material handling can lead to problems such as fines and angel hair. The source of these and the equipment used to remove them is discussed in this session. The drying process is an important phase of PET injection molding. This course will cover why PET should be dried and the methods used to remove moisture are reviewed; also, the effects of molding preforms with different levels of moisture in the resin are reviewed. The dryer parameters are reviewed and the effects of these parameters on the dying process are also covered. VIEW COURSE
This course covers different ways to blow PET containers and the steps used to control the process. VIEW COURSE
In this course, the type of heat that is used to reheat preforms is covered and how the infrared wavelength is adjusted and the reason this is important. The intent is to gain an understanding of how making adjustments to the oven settings can affect the quality of the bottle. The effect of different shields and lamp settings will also be covered and why and when these adjustments should be made. An overview of some of the hardware used in the blow molding ovens will be covered and the benefits that they may offer. Oven settings, turning lamps on and off, and changing the percent of power to the lamps will be discussed. Other items that will be covered are absorption characteristics of PET, heat zones, and the use of old lamps compared to newer lamps. VIEW COURSE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After successful completion of the PTI Online Academy Collection, students will be able to:
- Learn the chemical aspects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and how its properties can be altered
- Understand the design and development process
- Predict package performance
- Grasp the technological possibilities in order to increase performance of rigid plastic containers
- Review the recycling methods of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Apply course material in the workplace, specifically with technical applications
