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Seal bond characterization of laminated plastic food cups by scanning electron and optic microscopes
Author(s) -
Ayhan Zehra
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/pts.659
Subject(s) - materials science , scanning electron microscope , seal (emblem) , characterization (materials science) , composite material , electron microscope , nanotechnology , optics , physics , art , visual arts
Abstract Heat seals of laminated semi‐rigid food cups were evaluated to characterize the seal bond. Laminated lidding material was sealed at temperatures of 160–180°C to thermoformed cups. Various seal regions of the cups with different ultrasonic signal strengths (%) were sectioned at the rim and examined using optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Ultrasonic signals were able to pinpoint seal defects; however, the magnitude of the signals did not relate to the actual seal condition or seal quality affected by the sealing process. This was attributed to the very short seal width and non‐parallel surface of the heat seal, which possibly resulted in signal loss by reflection and scattering from the seal surface. C‐scan of ultrasound, SEM and optical microscopic images provided the information that the heat‐sealing process was unstable, due to insufficient and non‐uniform heat‐seal temperature or pressure, misalignment of the sealing jaws or non‐parallel sealing or cutting unit configuration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.