Graphene-Reinforced Recycled PET Container for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current PET containers face challenges in maintaining material integrity, optical clarity, and mechanical performance, particularly when incorporating recycled PET, which degrades mechanical properties and introduces processing issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating graphene nanoplatelets into PET containers, specifically through a master batch with recycled PET, enhances mechanical properties and improves crystallinity, optical clarity, and resistance to thermal stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recycled PET is incorporated into the container, then environmental sustainability is improved, but mechanical properties and material integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines recycled PET with graphene nanoplatelets to create a composite material that maintains mechanical strength while incorporating recycled content. The graphene acts as a reinforcing agent that compensates for the mechanical property degradation typically associated with using recycled polymers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If recycled PET is incorporated into the container, then environmental sustainability is improved, but processing issues are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidprocessing issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The addition of graphene nanoplatelets to recycled PET creates a composite that improves processability. The graphene dispersion in the molten polymer enhances flow characteristics and reduces processing defects, making the manufacturing of recycled-based containers more feasible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If thermal processing is applied to increase crystallinity, then material integrity is improved, but optical clarity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial integrityVSAvoidoptical clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes graphene's influence on crystallization behavior to achieve high crystallinity with improved optical properties. The graphene nanoplatelets act as nucleating agents that promote crystal formation at different thermal conditions, allowing the container to maintain both structural integrity and clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If mechanical processing is applied to orient molecules, then crystallinity is improved, but biaxial orientation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecrystallinityVSAvoidbiaxial orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets into the PET matrix modifies the material's response to mechanical processing. The graphene reinforcement facilitates crystal orientation during stretching and blowing operations, enhancing crystallinity development while working synergistically with the biaxial orientation process rather than complicating it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The addition of graphene nanoplatelets to PET containers, especially those with recycled content, improves impact resistance, optical clarity, and reduces base roll-out due to thermal stress, while maintaining or enhancing mechanical performance.

Implementation Method 1

The ability of a PET container to maintain its material integrity relates to the percentage of the PET container in crystalline form, also known as the 'crystallinity' of the PET container. Thermal processing involves heating the material (either amorphous or semi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReinforcement:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conductivity: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4351863B1Recycled polymeric container including graphene

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 AMCOR RIGID PACKAGING USA LLC

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AI summary

A container for storing product therein. The container is formed by injection stretch blow molding of a preform. The container includes recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and graphene.