Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of clarifying agent on the properties of polypropylene copolymer industrially injected cups for Brazilian cream cheese

  • Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Plastics Technology

Abstract

Aiming to achieve different characteristics with polypropylene copolymer, especially in relation to transparency similar to glass packaging, the effect of the addition of a clarifying agent derived from sorbitol to the polypropylene copolymer was studied. A specific cup shape packaging used for Brazilian cream cheese was applied. The samples were produced with different amounts of clarifying agent and were injected in industrial equipment. Further, the samples were characterized in regard to optical, mechanical and thermal properties. The results confirmed that the addition of clarifying agent, besides improving the transparency of the polypropylene copolymer, also increases the tensile strength. Moreover, from the view of applicability, the clarifying agent was demonstrated to be advantageous for the polypropylene copolymer production of Brazilian cream cheese packaging.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Albán Harol Mauricio Gámez, Cardona OCS, Argueta CM, Sarmiento AT (2015) A cost-efficient method to optimize package size in emerging markets. Eur J Oper Res 241:917–926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2014.09.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Coles R (2003) Packaging design and development. In: Coles R, McDowell D, Kirwan MJ (eds) Food packaging technology. CRC Press LLC, London, p 346

    Google Scholar 

  3. Vermeiren L, Devlieghere F, Van Beest M et al (1999) Developments in the active packaging of foods. Trends Food Sci Technol 10:77–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Galić K, Ščetar M, Kurek M (2011) The benefits of processing and packaging. Trends Food Sci Technol 22:127–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2010.04.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Brody AL, Bugusu B, Han JH et al (2008) Innovative food packaging solutions. J Food Sci 73:107–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2008.00933.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Housmans J-W, Gahleitner M, Peters GWM, Meijer HEH (2009) Structure–property relations in molded, nucleated isotactic polypropylene. Polymer 50:2304–2319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2009.02.050

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mark J, Kirwan JWS (2003) Plastics in food packaging. In: Coles R, McDowell D, Kirwan MJ (eds) Food packaging technology. CRC Press LLC, London, UK, p 346

    Google Scholar 

  8. Libster D, Aserin A, Ni Garti (2007) Advanced nucleating agents for polypropylene. Polym Adv Technol 18:685–695. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hoffmann K, Huber G, Mader D (2001) Nucleating and clarifying agents for polyolefins. Macromol Symp 176:83–91. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Thierry A, Straupe C, Wittmann JC, Lotz B (2006) Organogelators and polymer crystallisation. Macromol Symp 241:103–110. https://doi.org/10.1002/masy.200650915

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kristiansen M, Tervoort T, Smith P (2005) Mechanical properties of sorbitol-clarified isotactic polypropylene: influence of additive concentration on polymer structure and yield behavior. Macromolecules 38:10461–10465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Simanke AG, de Azeredo AP, de Lemos C, Mauler RS (2016) Influence of nucleating agent on the crystallization kinetics and morphology of polypropylene. Polímeros 26:152–160. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.2053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Shepard TA, Delsorbo CR, Louth RM et al (1997) Self-organization and polyolefin nucleation efficacy of 1,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys 35:2617–2628. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-0488(19971130)35:16%3c2617:aid-polb5%3e3.0.co;2-m

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kristiansen M, Werner M, Tervoort T et al (2003) The binary system isotactic polypropylene/bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol: phase behavior, nucleation, and optical properties. Macromolecules 36:5150–5156. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma030146t

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Foresta T, Piccarolo S, Goldbeck-wood G (2001) Competition between a and g phases in isotactic polypropylene: effects of ethylene content and nucleating agents at different cooling rates. Polymer 42:1167–1176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kristiansen PM, Gress A, Smith P et al (2006) Phase behavior, nucleation and optical properties of the binary system 5-benzene-tricarboxamide. Polymer 47:249–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.08.053

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Marco C, Ellis G, Gomez MA, Arribas JM (2002) Comparative study of the nucleation activity of third-generation sorbitol-based nucleating agents for isotactic polypropylene. J Appl Polym Sci 84:2440–2450. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.10533

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mubarak Y, Martin PJ, Mubarak Y, Martin PJ (2013) Effect of nucleating agents and pigments on crystallisation, morphology, and mechanical properties of polypropylene Effect of nucleating agents and pigments on crystallisation, morphology, and mechanical. Plast Rubber Compos Macromol Eng 8011:307–315. https://doi.org/10.1179/146580100101541111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Menyhárd A, Gahleitner M, Varga J et al (2009) the influence of nucleus density on optical properties in nucleated isotatic polypropylene.pdf. Eur Polym J 45:3138–3148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Tenma M, Mieda N, Takamatsu S, Yamaguchi M (2007) Structure and properties for transparent polypropylene containing sorbitol-based clarifier. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Sci 46:41–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bernland K, Theo T, Smith P (2009) Phase behaviour and optical and mechanical properties of the binary system isotactic PP and the clarifying agent.pdf. Polymer 50:2460–2464

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kobayashi T, Takenaka M, Saijo K, Hashimoto T (2003) Self-assembly and morphology of gel networks in l, 3: 2, 4-bis- O-(p -methylbenzylidene)-D-sorbitol/n-dibutylphthalate. J Colloid Interface Sci 262:456–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9797(03)00150-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhao Y, Vaughan AS, Sutton SJ, Swingler SG (2001) On the crystallization, morphology and physical properties of a clari ® ed propylene/ethylene copolymer. Polymer 42:6587–6597

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Bemis Company, Braskem S.A., Milliken Chemicals, Videplast, and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) for their technological support and laboratory structure.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo (USP), Cid. Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-030, Brazil

    Camila F. Drummond

  2. Chemical Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil

    Mayra Stéphanie P. Damas

  3. Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Blumenau, Rua Pomerode 710, Salto do Norte, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, 89065-300, Brazil

    Claudia Merlini

  4. Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Santa Catarina (IFSC), Campus Criciúma, Rod. SC 443 km 1, Vila Rica, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, 88813-600, Brazil

    Rodrigo Battisti

Authors
  1. Camila F. Drummond
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mayra Stéphanie P. Damas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Claudia Merlini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rodrigo Battisti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rodrigo Battisti.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Drummond, C.F., Damas, M.S.P., Merlini, C. et al. Influence of clarifying agent on the properties of polypropylene copolymer industrially injected cups for Brazilian cream cheese. Int J Plast Technol 23, 170–176 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12588-019-09245-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12588-019-09245-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation