INTRODUCTION

Seal strength is related to the pack opening force and a measure of the consistency of the
packaging process. The maximum seal force, average peel force and total energy absorbed in
peeling the seal can be recorded.

The strength of seals in flexible barrier materials is also routinely measured as part of the
validation exercise on medical device packaging. Seal strength tests are typically performed on
pouches and lidded trays as a measure of heat seal quality.

Method used in this experiment is for testing the seal strength of a thin plastic sheet or
similar flexible material. These types of seals are used extensively in the food and beverage sector
as well as in bio-medical applications. Most one-time use items such as bandages, catheters, and
needles are packaged inside a hermetically sealed bag.

The seal strength test is a combination of both an adhesive test and a tensile test on the thin
plastic material. It follows then that there are a few failure modes – either the adhesive can fail, or
the flexible barrier material can be ripped apart.

Based on the results obtained in this experiment, Maruku packaging has the highest average
strength compare to other samples. Meanwhile, Gardenia packaging has the lowest average
strength.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the seal strength of ribbed heat-sealed foil packaging

METHODOLOGY

1. Sample preparation

Constant specific
sample of width and length
sealed flexible (with the seal
laminated film at the midpoint
package was measured)
(3 cm x 4 cm)

the samples The packaging

were triplicate were cut into
and were strips according
ready to analyze to the measurement
2. Analysis of sample

Texture analyzer was used to

determine the seal strengh by using
a sutable probe which is tensile
grips and using software which is
Exponent.

The sample was attached to the

upper tensile grip to the load cell
carrier and secured the lower
tensile grip to the base of the
machine. The tensile grips was
calibrrated firsst to start from a set
distance apart for each test

Then, the test was run and

the data was analyzed
RESULTS

Figure 1: Graph of Strength (N/mm) vs Distance (mm) for Maruku

No. of Sample : 1

Name of Sample : Maruku

Type of Packaging : Primary Packaging

Table 1 : Maximum Distance, Strength and Force for Sample 1

No. Maximum Distance Maximum Strength Maximum force (N)

(mm) (N/mm)

Test 1 62 26 988

Distance=38.0mm

Test 2 60 28 980

Distance = 35.0mm
 Test 3 53 27 1026

Distance = 38.0mm

Maximum Force (N) = Strength (N/mm) X Distance (mm)

Figure 2 : Graph of Strength (N/mm) vs Distance (mm) for Kopi Tenom

No. of sample : 2

Name of Sample : Kopi Tenom

Type of Packaging : Primary Packaging

Table 2 : Maximum Distance, Strength and Force for Sample 2

 No. Maximum Distance Maximum Strength Maximum force (N)
(mm) (N/mm)

Test 1 63 14 504

Distance = 36mm

Test 2 64 13.5 499.5

Distance =37mm

Test 3 64 11 418

Distance = 38mm

Figure 3 : Graph of Strength (N/mm) vs Distance (mm) for Mamee monster

No. of sample : 3

Name of Sample : Mamee monster

Type of Packaging : Primary Packaging

Table 3 : Maximum Distance, Strength and Force for Sample 3

No. Maximum Distance Maximum Strength Maximum force (N)

(mm) (N/mm)

Test 1 64 7.4 266.4

Distance = 36.0mm

Test 2 63 6.0 219

Distance = 36.5mm

Test 3 64 7.3 328.5

Distance = 45.0mm
 Figure 4 : Graph of Strength (N/mm) vs Distance (mm) for Gardenia chocolate bun

No. of sample : 4

Name of Sample : Gardenia chocolate bun

Type of Packaging : Primary Packaging

Table 4 : Maximum Distance, Strength and Force for Sample 4

No. Maximum Distance Maximum Strength Maximum force (N)

(mm) (N/mm)

Test 1 64 3.05 195.2

Distance = 36.0mm

Test 2 63 3.45 138

Distance = 40.0mm
 Test 3 63 3.10 114.7

Distance = 37.0mm

Table 5 : Average strength of all samples

No. of Sample Strength (N/mm) Average Strength

(N/mm)
1. 2 3

1 26.0 28.0 27.0 27

2 14.0 13.5 11.0 12.8

3 7.4 6.0 7.3 6.9

4 3.05 3.45 3.10 3.2

DISCUSSION

The main objective of this experiment is to determine the seal strength of ribbed heat-
sealed foil packaging. There are four packaging samples used in this experiment which are
Maruku, Kopi Tenom, Mamee moster and Gardenia Chocolate bun. Each of samples were
prepared in triplicates in order to achieve an accurate results. The average strength of samples
is recorded which are Maruku (27 N/mm), Kopi Tenom (12.8 N/mm), Mamee monster (6.9
N/mm) and Gardenia (3.2 N/mm) as shown in Table 5. Based on the results obtained, Maruku
packaging has the highest average strength compare to other samples. Meanwhile, Gardenia
packaging has the lowest average strength.

Type of packaging influence the seal strength of different samples. All of the samples
are metallised packaging except for Gardenia packaging used LDPE plastic packaging. The
suitability of a package is important to protects foods from mechanical damage. Metallised film
are polymer films coated with a thin layer of metal usually Aluminium, Nickel or Chrome.
Metallised film provide a good barrier against heat, light , water and water vapour. It does not
allow the food inside to get oxidized. Moreover, because of this characteristics it helps to
maintain freshness of food over long time periods. Metallised film is highly resistant to
microbes and prevent food from coming in contact with microorganisms.

Today, most of the bread are packed in plastic film such as Low Density Polyethylene
(LDPE). Bread has high moisture content and high water activity with low tendency to crumble
and go stale. Since it contains hydrated starch it is likely to go stale, thus limiting its shelf life.
It does not need protection against Oxygen. LDPE film is an effective moisture barrier that can
improve the shelf life of bread. Too good a moisture barrier, has effect of causing mold growth
on the bread and allows the bread to become soft.

Factors that cause the variation problems arising from packaging seals is it was found
that the most common reason for seal failure was product contamination in the seal area and
that sealing problems were more common where products had liquid and crumb components.
The leakage of flexible package occurs in process of product filling or storage. First, in filling
process, the content would produce a heavy impact on the bottom of the package. If the package
bottom cannot withstand the impact, it would leak which could affect the cleanness of the
environment for production and the filling efficiency. Next, when storing the products, if the
package cannot withstand the increased inner pressure caused by stack and other factors,
breakage would also occur in the package which may cause the content inside the package
becomes ineffective or contaminate the other materials around. Technological improvements
need to done a better filling and heat sealing methods to reduce product contamination of the
seal area and the development of robust in-line seal monitoring systems and associated control
systems.