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Plastic Bags Terms
– Substance added to a polymer to increase
the effectiveness, but not the strength, of the polymer. Examples of
additives include flame-retardants, anti-static compounds, pigments and
lubricants.
– Also referred to as a “blend” or “hybrid,” it
is two chemically dissimilar polymers bonded together to form a new substance.
However, each polymeric unit is representative of only one monomer.
– Common process of creating plastic bags in which
compressed air fills an extruded plastic tube in order to enlarge and
thin out the resin.
– A polymer made up of two monomers in which each repeating
unit in the chain consists of units of both monomers.
– Very thin cracks in a polymeric material caused by chemicals
or other agents, such as ultraviolet radiation.
– The
length of the molecular or monomeric units in a polymer chain. This length
determines the properties of the
polymer.
– A copolymer produced
through the chemical reaction of ethylene and vinyl acetate. EVA is often
added
to
plastic resins to increase the strength of the resin in temperatures
below freezing.
– A term referring to the thickness of
the material. The smaller the gauge number, the thinner the material.
– Term that reflects the temperature
when a substance changes from a hard glass to a rubber consistency. Polymers
become weak at temperatures below their transition temperature.
– Polymers originating from the same chemical family and
produced from the same company. However, they vary in weight, additives,
reinforcements and the manner in which they are processed.
– Fusing together two or more thermoplastic films,
such as low density polyethylene, through the application of heat and
pressure.
– A plastic material whose thickness
ranges from .941 -.965 g/cm3. HDPE is more expensive to process, but
maintains greater strength, resistance and stiffness than either LDPE
or LLDPE.
– The process of decreasing the weight of plastic
by using less resin, while retaining the strength and effectiveness of
the plastic.
– A plastic material that
is produced at lower temperatures and pressures than LDPE through copolymerization,
resulting in a crystalline structure responsible for greater stiffness
and a higher melting point than LDPE. Although it is more difficult to
process, LLDPE maintains greater tensile strength and a greater resistance
to stress cracking than LDPE.
– The longer side of the bag that allows the bag to be opened
more easily.
–
The most common and least expensive plastic bag material that maintains
a density of .910-.925 g/cm3. LDPE maintains its durability,
flexibility, water resistance and clarity under low temperatures, and
its low melting point makes it ideal for heat sealing.
– The temperature at which a substance converts from
a solid into a liquid.
– A puncture resistant material that is thinner and
stronger than LDPE.
– The most basic polymeric unit, usually a liquid or a
gas, consisting of molecules from the same organic substance. When chained
together, monomers form solid polymers.
– A chemical added to plastic resins to increase the
flexibility of the plastic.
– The most common plastic resin, it is a light,
chemically resistant thermoplastic used in packaging and insulation.
PE resins used in the production of plastic bags include low density,
linear low density and high density resins.
– Two or more
monomers bonded together through a chemical reaction. Each polymer consists
of a chain of repeating monomers.
– Light, durable thermoplastic with a high melting
point that is often used in packaging. PP contains polymers consisting
of propylene, a colorless, combustible gas found in petroleum.
– Substance added to a polymer to increase the strength
of the plastic. Examples include clay, mica and glass fibers.
– A class of polymers, or plastics, chemically different
to naturally occurring resin, a sticky substance obtained from certain
trees and plants. Examples of resins include polyethylene, polyurethane
and acrylics.
– An additive that aids in decreasing the slippage of stacked
packaged goods and prevents bags from sticking together.
– A bottom seal for liners that combines four sections
into a star design. Star seals are the strongest seals, and they maximize
carrying capacity.
– Cracking that occurs as a result of mechanical
stress. In most cases, tiny cracks caused from exposure of the plastic
to chemicals or ultraviolet radiation are already present.
– A polymer made up of three monomers in which each
repeating unit in the chain consists of units of all three monomers.
– The process of applying heat, pressure or suction
to create plastic sheets, according to specified sizes and shapes.
– Category of
plastics that has the potential to soften and reform when heated and to
harden again during cooling. During the process, the physical makeup of
the plastic does not change.
– A category of plastics that cannot be reformed upon
reheating. Thermosets remain permanently hard.
– A plastic additive that increases
the resistance of the plastic to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation,
such as fading of color and strength decrease.
– Thermoplastic coating or film that
safeguards sensitive items from harsh environmental conditions through
the release of a vapor that forms a protective layer on the surface of
the thermoplastic.
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