Stress Cracking of PET - Risk Minimisation

Stress cracking is the crazing or cracking that occurs when a PET container is under tensile stress and in its
weakest state. The sidewalls of a container are strong as here the PET is in a highly orientated state. Stress
cracking occurs in the base/gate area of a container as here the material is in an amorphous state as well as
being under internal pressure and tensile stress.
No one reason can usually be given for the cause of stress cracking in a container. It is caused by
combination of effects. These can be due to the initial resin, perform, bottle or handling system.
Based on the recent ISBT Stress Crack Sub-Committee information and discussions with SLPC, the following
action and checklist has been complied.

Item

Action Points

Raw materials

Ensure material dried to a moisture content < 0.005%. Check on audits.

Preform

Ensure perform IV > 0.76. Preforms over 6 months old to be re-tested prior to use to
ensure they conform.
Ensure minimum base crystallinity, such that only the gate pip and a 4mm radius around
the pip show such signs. Reject if preforms do not conform.
Ensure preforms conditioned for > 24 hours at blow moulding room temperatures.

Bottle

Ensure bottle base weight in specification.

Ensure bottle base thickness 0.4mm overall measured in the valleys between the feet on
a 33mm radius. For individual bottles to be 0.2mm. For a 2 litre bottle to be 2.6
0.4mm. Other bottle sizes specifications being worked on.
Ensure bottle base gate is central on the base and within the 10mm diameter indent. To
be a maximum of 4mm from the bottle centre. Otherwise reject.

Filling

Ensure carbonation level is within specification.

Minimise filler bowl pressure, as excess pressure can expose base cracks.

Slat Lube

Ensure no slat lube on infeed conveyor to wrapper. Use 'dry' slat lube.
Ensure slat lube washed off bottles with treated water prior to using 'dry' lube.
Ensure no slat lubricant foam build up on conveyors, as this leaves lube on bottles.
Ensure slat lubricant dilution is < 0.5% at all times by a daily check.

Chemical
Usage

Do not use any silicon sprays near bottles or on plant that contacts bottles.
All sprays and lubricants used on the line must be agreed with the Group Technical
Manager before use is approved.

David Steen / 19 April 2000 / Issue 2

Handling

Wash and dry bottles if possible pre-packaging.

Ensure bottles are not left on running conveyors for long periods > 5 minutes.
Do not expose bottles to temperatures > 38C.
Do not store filled bottles near any heat source or in direct sunlight.
Ensure no bottles left in shrink tunnel.
Try not to store filled bottles on trailers overnight.
Do not mishandle bottles after filling such as knocking them, etc.

David Steen / 19 April 2000 / Issue 2