Abstract

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.