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Labthink Instruments Co., Ltd.
Main Testing Items of BOPP Films

Main Testing Items of BOPP Films

Product catalog summary

Introduction
The document discusses the importance of cigarette packaging materials, specifically BOPP (bi-axially oriented polypropylene) films, in preserving the quality and extending the storage period of cigarettes. Key properties such as water vapor transmission rate, flavor protection, coefficient of friction, heat shrinkage, and thickness are analyzed.

1. Analysis of Testing Demands
Temperature and humidity significantly impact cigarette storage. Proper packaging is crucial to prevent moisture absorption and over-drying, which affect flavor and quality. BOPP films are commonly used due to their superior moisture barrier properties, although they are less effective against oxygen. High-end packaging may require films with PVDC coating for enhanced barrier performance.

2. Testing Items for Cigarette Film

Barrier Property Testing: Includes water vapor, oxygen, and organic gas transmission rate tests to assess moistening, moldiness, and flavor protection.
Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing: Essential for preventing moisture-related deterioration. Methods include weighing and sensor techniques, with the electrolytic sensor method being the most efficient.
Flavor Protection Testing: Involves oxygen and organic gas transmission rate tests. Current methods are in development, with Labthink Instruments advancing testing technologies.
Coefficient of Friction Testing: Ensures smooth operation on packaging machines. Testing at higher temperatures (60°C) is necessary for practical data.
Heat Shrinkage Testing: Evaluates thermal stability. Standard BOPP films have a shrinkage rate of 3%-7%, while heat shrinkage types exceed 8%.
Thickness Testing: Critical for manufacturing and application. Thicker films offer better performance but increase costs. Mechanical methods are preferred for testing.

3. Conclusions
The document concludes that flavor protection and water vapor barrier properties are crucial for cigarette storage. While testing technologies for water vapor and inorganic gases are mature, organic gas transmission rate testing is still developing. Labthink Instruments is at the forefront of these advancements, contributing to industry progress.

Catalog excerpts

Labthink Instruments Co.,L TD 144 Wuyingshan Road, Jinan, China Tel: +86-531-85811021 85864214 Fax: +86-531-85812140 E-mail: [email protected] Main Testing Items of BOPP Films Abstract: the properties of cigarette packaging materials are the key factors affecting the storage period in relation to the different storing environments. This article analyzes the testing demands of BOPP film (bi-axially oriented polypropylene film), and introduces the tests for several properties of BOPP film, including water vapor transmission rate , flavor protection, coefficient of friction, heat shrinkage and thickness, etc. Key Words: BOPP, bi-axially oriented polypropylene film, cigarette film, flavor protection, coefficient of friction, heat shrinkage, thickness During manufacturing process, several organic and inorganic substances are added to the tobacco, which may generate microorganisms and mould with the changing of the storing environment. When smoking, various microorganisms and mould may change into toxins by the high temperature burning, and put threats to human health. Thus, the storage period of cigarette depends heavily on the environment: two to three year’ storage s period in suitable environment, and less than one year in inferior environment. We must take cigarette packaging and storing environment into consideration, so as to prolong shelf-life period and to reduce cigarette deterioration. 1. The Analysis of Testing Demands Temperature and humidity are the two vital factors affecting cigarette storage. Since cut tobacco would absorb moisture in high humidity environment, and would occur over-drying in low humidity environment, it’ normally s required to store the cigarette in low temperature environment with proper humidity. Therefore, moistening and moldiness are the main factors affecting the quality guarantee period; and flavor protection is of vital importance, especially for high-end cigarettes. At the same time, cut tobacco is apt to absorb other aromas around which would lead to inferior cigarette flavors. Different from other consuming products, even the retail package of cigarette has several layers, including the inner aluminum-foil paper, flexible/rigid paper packaging, and the outer transparent plastic film packaging. Every layer has its respective function, and the whole package barrier property is the key factor relating to moldiness, moistening, and flavor protection. The outer transparent film, i.e., cigarette film is of the highest barrier property among all the packaging materials, which has the closest relationship with the cigarette quality. Now, BOPP (bi-axially oriented polypropylene) film has been widely applied as the cigarette film. Though inferior in barrier performance against oxygen, BOPP film is superior in flavor protection and barrier property against moisture. Yet, with the higher requirements from the high-end cigarette packaging, the barrier performance of BOPP cigarette film, especially flavor protection performance can not meet the demands completely. Thus, high barrier film with PVDC coating has been gradually used in cigarette packaging. Besides, cigarette film should be suitable for high-speed packaging line; and a set of index requirements for coefficient of friction, thickness, shrinkage, heat seal, anti-static electricity and mechanical performances, should be achieved. 2. Testing Items for Cigarette Film Barrier property is the key testing item for cigarette film. Relevant tests include water vapor transmission rate testing, oxygen transmission rate testing and organic gas transmission rate testing, all of which directly relate to the moistening, moldiness and flavor protection effect of the cigarette. Meanwhile, in order to meet the requirements for high speed packaging line and packaging speed with excellent performances, the film should meet the requirements for the following indexes, namely, coefficient of friction, thickness, shrinkage, heat seal,

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Labthink Instruments Co.,L TD 144 Wuyingshan Road, Jinan, China Tel: +86-531-85811021 85864214 Fax: +86-531-85812140 E-mail: [email protected] anti-static electricity and mechanical properties, etc. Furthermore, as to the artistic and beautiful packaging demand, transparency, stiffness and haze should satisfy high standards. For this purpose, tests for coefficient of friction, heat shrinkage and thickness are of key importance. 2.1 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Testing In order to avoid deterioration caused by moistening, higher barrier property against water vapor is required for cigarette packaging....

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Labthink Instruments Co.,L TD 144 Wuyingshan Road, Jinan, China Tel: +86-531-85811021 85864214 Fax: +86-531-85812140 E-mail: [email protected] 23 degree. Testing data indicates that, with the temperature increase, the coefficient of friction for films would increase, and even stick-slip would occur. Therefore, coefficient of friction testing in ambient temperature and its data is of little practicability for BOPP cigarette film, and the data at 60 degree is usually the necessity. 2.4 Heat Shrinkage Testing BOPP cigarette film is usually classified into two types: standard type and heat shrinkage...

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