NEWS

Source: Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd

Flexible plastic composite film is one very common packaging material, which is widely used in medical packaging for medicines in powder, granules and liquid forms.

The coefficient of friction is one key factor that may influence the packing process of medicines. To be specific, if the kinetic coefficient of friction of the packaging material is too high, much more resistance may be produced during the pulling process and as a result, the packaging material may be deformed and even get fractured. In contrast, if the static coefficient of friction of the packaging material is too low, in pulling process the packaging material may slip off. For the finished package, if the coefficient between the inner surfaces of the package is too high, it may be difficult to open the package.

Therefore, it is necessary to test the coefficient of friction of the packaging materials before use to guarantee the packaging materials can be used conveniently in packing process.

This article provides a simplified test method of coefficient of friction of flexible plastic composite film for medical use for your reference. The testing instrument is Link Testing’s LTMXS-06 Coefficient of Friction Tester. The test specimens are aluminized plastic composite film used for one powder form medicine.

Figure 1. Common Flexible Package for Medical Use

Coefficient of friction of one specimen refers to the coefficient of friction between this specimen and one friction pair material. In the tests mentioned in this article, we tested the static and kinetic coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the test specimen against the steel plate.

Figure 2. LTMXS-06 Coefficient of Friction Tester

The tests shall be performed according to the following procedures.

• Prepare specimens. Cut 3 pieces of specimens from the sample material of aluminized plastic composite film with sample cutter. The size of the specimen should be 63mm by 100mm.
• Clamp specimens. Take one specimen and wrap the sled with specimen. The outer surface of specimen should face outward. The test area should be flat and tidy. The test area should not be contacted with your hands both in preparation and clamping of the specimen. Connect the sled with load cell through a spring. Then place the sled on the steel plate. The moving direction of sled should be paralleled to the direction in which it is pulled.

• Start Test. Set test speed, stroke and other test parameters. Click Test button to start the test. The specimen will stay still on the test plate for 15 seconds, the forces will be recorded automatically in testing process and calculate the static and kinetic coefficient of friction when the test is finished.

• Test other 2 specimens with the same procedures as step 2 and step 3.

For more details about LTMXS-06 Coefficient of Friction Tester, please visit www.linktesting.org

About Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd:

Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd is one leading supplier of packaging testing instruments, which is headquartered in Jinan, China.