microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
(OP)
This question may seem silly but please do help me out in anyway possible.
My company is looking to manufacture clear household containers like ziploc brand containers that is microwave and dishwasher safe.
What exactly makes the container microwave safe? Do we have to use a special resin? A special additive? (Like use more anti oxidents) Use a lower mfi resin? Does the container need a minimum wall thickness? etc
Same question for dishwasher safe?
We want to ensure when we place the logo on the bottom of our container we know exatly why we placed it there.
Thank you.
My company is looking to manufacture clear household containers like ziploc brand containers that is microwave and dishwasher safe.
What exactly makes the container microwave safe? Do we have to use a special resin? A special additive? (Like use more anti oxidents) Use a lower mfi resin? Does the container need a minimum wall thickness? etc
Same question for dishwasher safe?
We want to ensure when we place the logo on the bottom of our container we know exatly why we placed it there.
Thank you.





RE: microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
Are these single use or reusable?
I think the material most commonly used in the microwave is crystallized PET, or CPET. The formation of crystals in a post molding operation raised the HDT significantly and allows use at elevated temps. Unfortunately, it is opaque, as are most all crystalline resins. You are probably headed to something like PEI, which is expensive to buy and process. An issue to consider is staining of the polymer by the contents. Repeated use with a variety of contents will make staining likely. Also, consider leaching of low molecular weight polymer species or additives that could contaminate the contents.
In the dishwasher, you have to consider exposure to surfactants at elevated temperatures. This may attack and degrade the polymer, and they may accelerate the leaching mentioned above. I think this was the primary concern behind contamination of polycarbonate sports water bottles and infant formula bottles with bisphenol-A.
Rick Fischer
Principal Engineer
Argonne National Laboratory
RE: microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
From what I understand, you are saying I'll need to test these containers with the food inside and test the migration of chemicals and additives to the food?
If the migration of these chemicals is whithin the limites, we can put a microwave stamp on the products?
Dishwasher I would have to test with hot water and a surfactant and see the degradation?
Is there a specific PP I should get? (Apart from it being food grade)
Thank you for the help.
RE: microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
2. Yes.
3. I have no idea what officially constitutes microwave usability, or if there is a standard, etc.
4. Yes. Not so much degradation, but leaching of any chemical substance onto a surface that contacts food.
5. I have trouble with using PP in a microwave. We have some Tupperware containers that float in the sink, so they are some type of olefin, and they are stained and melted from zapping lasagna in the microwave. PP is a low temp material.
This isn't really my area, and the advise I've given is based on basic polymer science fundamentals. If this were mine, the first thing I would do is check and see what industry standards apply. There may be standards that define safe in the dishwasher or microwave. Next I would do a survey of the existing product out there. Categorize them by material and microwave/dishwasher suitability. Test any microwave rated product to determine what material it's made from. This can be done in any good lab with FT-IR capability.
Rick Fischer
Principal Engineer
Argonne National Laboratory
RE: microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
RE: microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
Rick Fischer
Principal Engineer
Argonne National Laboratory
RE: microwave and dishwasher safe packaging
Rick Fischer
Principal Engineer
Argonne National Laboratory