BPA-free plastics for small appliances

Eastman celebrates a decade of design innovation with its market-transforming material, Tritan™ ™ copolyester, a BPA-free plastic resin material that combines shatterproof properties with the brilliance of glass. For toughness, unique balance of clarity and chemical resistance, leading brands count on Tritan™ ™  to provide valuable differentiation for their products as the material has similar thermostability to polycarbonate (PC) and excels in transparency and brightness as compared than PC after everyday use. 

 

The Eastman copolyester is used in hundreds of food contact products around the world including water bottles, blenders and food storage containers. The company conducted extensive testing over many years using well-recognised scientific methods to ensure the safety of Tritan™  and address concerns about plastic chemical absorption and tensile strength. Accredited universities and independent third-party labs tested Tritan™  with results overwhelmingly demonstrating that it is safe. In separate studies, the copolymer is found not only free of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) but also is free of estrogenic activity (EA) and androgenic activity (AA).

 

In a recent round of tests conducted by the Oregon State University, results show that Tritan™  copolyester do not easily warp when exposed to repeated exposure to extreme dishwasher temperatures (55-65 ºC). Bottles made with Tritan™  plastic were placed in an oven with ramping temperature to see if the bottles will break down quickly once their glass transition temperatures have been reached.  These temperatures were ramped from 25 to 125.8 ºC less than 15 in Hg vacuum and kept above glass transition point for half an hour. Tritan™  performed remarkably under these extreme conditions.

 

Among the stringent battery of tests performed on Tritan™  copolymer is the receptor activation assays. The estrogenic and androgenic activity of both the monomers and concentrated extracts of Tritan™  were also evaluated in vitro using both yeast and mammalian cell assays performed by two separate labs. These tests evaluate a substance's ability to bind to a hormone receptor and, induce gene expression. Extracts were generated using U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) and European (specifically, EU Commission Regulation No. 10/2011) recommendations for food contact migration testing. 

Additional extracts were derived following a dishwasher simulation environment (10 days, 70ºC in Cascade solution). The plastic samples performed remarkably under these tests. This is just one of the stringent scientific methods used to test the plastic resin for potential estrogenic activity and androgenic activity. 

 

Additional features of Tritan™  include ASTM specific gravity of 1.18 and 210 elongation tensile strength.  Tensile strength is the resistance of a material to longitudinal stress, measured by the minimum amount of longitudinal stress required to rupture the material.  Its flexural modulus, the physical property denoting the ability for that material to bend, hovers between 1,550 MPa (105psi) to 1,588 (105psi). Tritan™ ’s glass temperature rating measures between 110°C to 120°C with optical properties at 90% transmittance, allowing for the clearest material transparency while enduring extreme heat exposures in dishwashers and ovens.

 

Tritan™  allows for the production of intricate shapes and patterns through injection moulding, making it easier for manufacturers. It has mould shrinkage of 0.5% to 0.7% with Izod impact strength of 20 Kj/m2 and combines toughness with sound dampening properties along with the ease of moulding. In many applications it can be used in an existing mojlder with some modification. Tritan™  often results in shorter cycle times and fewer manufacturing stages, and is also available in a high-flow product ideal for long flow runs and intricate detail.

 

The copolyester additionally delivers outstanding lipid and chemical resistance while still offering excellent durability, heat resistance, and ease of processing. Not only is Tritan™  free of BPA, the plastic resin also is void of orthophthalate plasticisers, and halogens. Tritan™  copolyesters provide solutions for medical device and package challenges that have not been met by traditional polymers available to the medical industry. Examples of medical grade applications range from liquid resistant surfaces for patient safety to a material that allows for branding and labeling indicating fill levels. 

 

Each of the copolymer grades is specially formulated to meet the unique needs of global and regional brand owners, molders, designers, retailers and consumers. Tritan™  is now a leading plastic component in such varied markets as appliance, consumer housewares, commercial housewares, food storage, water bottle, infant care, consumer durable goods, medical packaging, medical device, smart card, water filtration, and in-mould decoration.

 

 

Adding design flexibility and toughness in food processors  

The unmatched combination of toughness, durability and design flexibility is what makes Tritan™  an ideal material of choice for small appliances. Panasonic elected to incorporate Tritan™  as a key material for its latest line of cutting-edge food processors, models MK-F800, 500, and 300.

 

Each food processor features a clear, durable jug made from Tritan™  with a maximum capacity of 2.5 L combined with the sharpest, high-precision cutting blades. This partnership is making a big difference by having the copolymer successfully replace polycarbonate (PC) in small appliance applications. Products made from Tritan™  are impact and shatter resistant. Plus, they stay clear and durable even after years of repeated use and dishwasher cycles.

 

“Whether you’re an at-home chef or a seasoned professional, this food processor makes it easy for anyone to prepare a gourmet meal at home,” said by product manager of Panasonic. “Tritan™  is a great fit for this new product line and one of the few materials that meets Panasonic’s high quality standards of clarity, chemical resistance, toughness and heat resistance.  Tritan™  is unbreakable and scratch-resistant, so it delivers the kind of durability and aesthetic appeal that our customers expect from Panasonic appliances.”

 

Tritan™ ’s unique properties enhance the food processors’ overall functionality and safety. The copolymer boasts of innate toughness with impact resistant durability comparable to PC. It is manufactured with no separate annealing step required, saving time and energy in the production process. Tritan™  is also dishwasher safe, which makes for quick and easy cleaning of the jug. Made without BPA, its high heat resistance, chemical resistance against oils and cleaners, and inherent toughness give it the durability needed for repeated use.

 

Tritan™  also offers sound dampening features for the high end Panasonic food processors, where excessive noise is a turn-off for most consumers. Tritan™  allows for a quieter motor performance but without sacrificing style, rich colouration and gloss. The Tritan™  jug doesn’t fade after exposure to chemicals like bleach, sanitizers or fragrances. Using Tritan™  for its key material means compatibility with secondary operations such as in-mold decoration, painting, hard coats and surface texturing. It is impact resistance and shatter-proof, meaning the jug can handle more than a dozen spills and falls to the floor.