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Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate (A-PET)
Food grade plastics that are perfect for thermoforming.
What is Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate?
A-PET is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family. Being a thermoplastic material, it is easily formed using heat processes. And because A-PET is non-toxic, it is a popular choice for food and drink packaging.
It offers high strength and stiffness, clear visibility and printability. Colour-conferring dyes can also be formulated into PET sheet to offer up a range of colour options.
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Performance characteristics of A-PET
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High gloss
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Durable and tough
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Good gas barrier properties
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Good chemical resistance
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Low moisture absorption
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Food compatible
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Fully recyclable
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PET versus A-PET
There is no difference between PET and A-PET plastic. PET can be made with the polymers aligned in two primary ways, either amorphous or crystalline. In the majority of cases, the PET plastics we encounter in daily life are amorphous. The one exception is microwave containers, which are C-PET. Without crystallisation, A-PET containers will melt in the microwave. (Been there, done that!)
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Something you may not know about PET plastics​
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Japanese scientists have isolated a bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis that possesses two enzymes that can break down PET into digestible pieces.
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Source: Wikipedia.org | Photo credit: Chemistry World
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