Defect analysis helps contract packager save money (Healthcare Packaging)
Defect analysis helps contract packager save money
Pharmaceutical contract packager determines source of bottle discoloration, avoids payment on a defective bottle shipment.
Mary Stellmack
Healthcare Packaging- November 22, 2011
Plastic containers often display cosmetic defects such as inclusions, spots, or discoloration that do not necessarily affect the integrity of the product, but may trigger a negative impression from the consumer.
Molded plastic parts may contain foreign contaminants, including dirt, fibers, hair, insect parts, glass and metal particles, and other polymers. Poor dispersion of normal components of the polymer formulation, particularly fillers and pigments, can also result in surface blemishes. Microanalytical techniques can be used to identify the contaminant, and sometimes provide a clue as to the source of the contamination. Under a stereomicroscope, portions of the contaminant material can be isolated from the normal polymer matrix by a skilled analyst using a surgical scalpel. The contaminant material can then be analyzed and identified by a number of microanalytical techniques, and can also be compared to suspected source materials that are provided by the molder.