PE Bottle Cap Degradation Analysis: Focus on Mechanically Induced Aging

Our prototyping imaging protocol is intricately designed to uncover potential weaknesses in the formation or extrusion processes of Polyethylene (PE) bottle caps. Additionally, it aims to identify any design or structural vulnerabilities that might contribute to premature degradation.

In our analysis, images are segmented based on the percentage of oxidation, specifically measured by the Carbonyl Index (CI). We have observed that early-stage degradation is characterized by an increase in chemical degradation due to oxidation, without significant physical degradation. In contrast, late-stage degradation, marked by a CI of 1.0, is associated with a substantial increase in both surface and bulk crystallinity. This progression from early to late-stage degradation provides critical insights into the aging process of PE bottle caps, particularly those affected by mechanical wear.

Below are photos of our testing process.