PROTOCOL AND SPECIMEN SET UP FOR MECHANICAL EVALUATION OF COSMETIC PACKAGING
Priscilla Capra, Giorgio Musitelli, Marco Faccioli, Benedetta Briasco, *Paola Perugini
ABSTRACT
The main objective and the novelty of this study is to present an
optimized procedure in order to evaluate mechanical properties of
commercially available packaging used in cosmetic field in order to
assure quality and safety of the final product as required from EU
Legislation. Specifically, suitable designed specimens with modified
dogbone shape are developed in order to obtain repeatable and
standardized stress-strain curves. Poly (ethylene terephthalate)-glycol
(PETG) containers are used to set up the procedure. Empty and filled
bottles containing pH 2 solution are investigated before and after stress
treatments performed in according to European Medicines Agency
(EMA) guidelines; each sample was subjected to tensile test and
stretched to the breaking point in order to study its stress-strain profile. Results highlighted
that, starting from mechanical properties of polymer itself, it is possible to characterize, in a
reproducibly way, commercially available PETg containers; after that it is possible to verify
if the contact with extreme pH solution or specific treatments (heating or simulating solar
irradiation), can lead to packaging modification. This research represents a starting point to
study in detail the finished packaging and the possible product-package interactions in the
pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical fields.
Keywords: mechanical characterization; polymeric packaging; formulation/packaging interactions; polyester; PETg.
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