Source: Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd
Today, masks can be found anywhere from drugstores to department stores, and can vary in consistency and form. Setting masks include: clay, which is a thicker consistency, and will draw out impurities (and sometimes, natural oils, too) from the pores; a cream, which stays damp to hydrate the skin; sheet-style, in which a paper mask is dampened with liquid to tone and moisturize the skin; and lastly, a hybrid/clay and cream form that includes small beads for removing dead surface skin cells. Non-setting facial masks include warm oil and paraffin wax masks. These different forms are made to suit different skin types (e.g., oily or dry), and different skincare goals or needs (e.g., moisturizing, cleansing, exfoliating). Clay and mud masks suit oily and some "combination" skin types, while cream-based masks tend to suit dry and sensitive skin types.
The nutrient or essence in the mask enters the skin through the water contained in the mask. Therefore, the water content is critical to its performance. To be specific, if there is very limited water, the nutrient or essence may enter the skin at a relatively low speed or even the mask may absorb the water from the skin and make the skin dry.
There are mainly two factors that influence the water preservation of facial mask i.e. the water barrier property of the packaging material and the seal performance of the finished package.
This article provides a simplified test method of the seal performance of the facial mask package for your reference.
Figure 1. Common Facial Mask Packages
The specimens we used in the tests are aluminum plastic composite film which is widely used in facial mask packages. The tests are performed according to ASTM F2029. The heat sealing of the specimens is completed by Link Testing’s LTH-H3 Heat Seal Tester and the heat seal strength is tested by Link Testing’s LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester.
Test Principle
The specimens are heat sealed at distinct sealing parameters (including sealing temperature, sealing pressure and dwell time) with Link Testing’s LTH-H3 Heat Seal Tester. Then the two free ends of sealed specimens are clamped in the upper and lower sample grips of Link Testing’s LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester. Then the upper and lower sample grips will move in opposite directions. Load cell embedded in moveable sample grips and the displacement sensor will detect and record the force changes and displacement changes in testing process. Finally, the heat seal strength can be calculated.
Instrument Features
The sealing temperature can be controlled within the range of room temperature to 300℃ with accuracy of ±0.2℃. The dwell time can be adjusted within the range of 0.1 to 999.9s. The sealing pressure can be controlled within the range of 0.05MPa to 0.7MPa.
The temperature of upper sealing jaws and lower sealing jaws can be controlled independently. Digital P.I.D. temperature control technology ensures the preset temperature to be reached rapidly without any fluctuation.
Dual underneath and closed loop-type of gas cylinders ensure even pressure of sealing surface.
Manual or pedal switch, as well as anti-scald design provides convenient and safe operating environment.
Load cell capacity can be selected, 500N or 50N.
Seven test speeds can be selected, 50 mm/min, 100 mm/min, 150 mm/min, 200 mm/min, 250 mm/min, 300 mm/min and 500 mm/min.
1000mm extra-long stroke satisfies the test needs of various materials with extreme elongation rate.
Intelligent designs of over-travel protection, overload protect, automatic position reset and power failure memory for safe test operation.
7 independent test modes are available, including tensile strength, peeling force, tearing force and other force properties of flexible packages.
Application Scope of Testing Instruments
This instrument is applicable to heat seal tests of flexible plastic films, jelly cup covers and flexible plastic pipes. The flexible plastic films include various plastic films, plastic composite films, paper plastic composite films, co-extruded films, aluminum coated films, aluminum plastic composite films. It conforms to ASTM F2009, YBB00122003.
This instrument is applicable to measure tensile, peeling, deformation, tearing, heat sealing, adhesive, puncture force, opening force and low speed unwrapping force as well as other performance of plastic films, composite materials, soft package materials, plastic flexible tube, adhesives, adhesive tape, label stickers, medical plasters, release paper, protection films, combined caps, aluminum foil, diaphragm, back sheets, non-woven fabrics, rubber, paper, etc.
The reference standards for LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester include GB/T 10004, GB 8808, GB/T 1040.1, GB/T 1040.2, GB/T 1040.3, GB/T 1040.4, GB/T 1040.5, GB/T 4850, GB/T 12914, GB/T 17200, GB/T 16578.1, GB/T 7122, GB/T 2790, GB/T 2791, GB/T 2792, GB/T 17590, ISO 37, ASTM E4, ASTM D882, ASTM D1938, ASTM D3330, ASTM F88, ASTM F904, JIS P8113, QB/T 2358, QB/T 1130
The tests can be performed according to the following procedures.
Test Results
When the sealing temperature is raised to 185℃, the sealing area shrinks and the heat seal strength will not be increased, even decreased after 185℃. When the sealing temperature is within the range of 165 ~ 185℃, the sealing surface is flat and the heat seal strength can reach 31.6 N/15mm, which is a very good result. Therefore, the optimal sealing temperatures are 165~ 185℃, which can guarantee the seal performance of the package for facial masks.
Conclusion
The Seal performance of the sealing edges is one critical factor that may influence the product quality of facial masks. This article introduces a method with which the optimal sealing parameters can be determined. The testing instruments, Link Testing’s LTH-H3 Heat Seal Tester and LTS-05 Auto Tensile Tester are easy to operate, and featured with accurate results and good repeatability.
Link Testing Instruments Co., Ltd is one high-tech enterprise that specializes in research & development of packaging testing instruments and testing services. The packaging testing instruments cover various test items including tensile strength, impact resistance, seal performance, sliding resistance, leakage，coeffiencent of friction, rub resistance etc.
For more details about our packaging testing instruments and testing services, 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.
