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Characterization of polyurethane foam as heat seal coating in medical pouch packaging application

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Abstract

In this study the use of polyurethane foam (PUF) as a heat seal coating for potential application in medical pouch packaging were investigated. We prepared PUF coatings at various foam densities and cell densities through mechanical foaming at various stirring speeds; then used a LUMisizer to examine their stabilities. After applying PUF coatings of various foam densities onto a medical packaging material (Tyvek®) at various thicknesses, then employed impulse heat sealing with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) films to fabricate medical pouches. In addition to investigating the morphology, tack properties, adhesion, scratch resistance, flexibility, and durability of the PUF coats, the peel strength and air permeability of the medical pouches were also measured. Increasing the foam density of the PUF coatings increased their stability; the PUF coats prepared at a higher foam density exhibited greater tackiness (<1 g/cm2), adhesion (5B), scratch resistance (HB), flexibility (passes), and durability (ΔYI ≤ 5). The peel strength measured in the T-peel configuration increased upon increasing the foam density and decreasing the coating thickness of the PUF coat/LLDPE pouches. The air permeability of the pouches increased upon increasing the foam density and cell density of the PUF coat/LLDPE pouches. Morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy were consistent with the experimental results.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the experimental support from Sigma Medical Supplies Corp., Viewstar CO., LTD. and Dr. Zhenhua Chen of High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Material Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No.43, Keelung Rd., Section 4, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Hsien-Tang Chiu, Chi-Yung Chang, Hsin-Wei Pan, Tzong-Yiing Chiang, Ming-Tai Kuo & Yu-Hsiang Wang

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  1. Hsien-Tang Chiu
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  2. Chi-Yung Chang
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  3. Hsin-Wei Pan
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  4. Tzong-Yiing Chiang
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  6. Yu-Hsiang Wang
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Correspondence to Hsien-Tang Chiu.

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Chiu, HT., Chang, CY., Pan, HW. et al. Characterization of polyurethane foam as heat seal coating in medical pouch packaging application. J Polym Res 19, 9791 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-011-9791-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-011-9791-3

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