Alexei Volkov
Plastic tubes are used for a variety of purposes, from toothpaste to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, paint, and technical products. Sealing a plastic tube is important to ensure the product inside does not spoil or leak, and there are several methods to do so. This includes hot air sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high-frequency sealing, and hot-jaw sealing. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best method depends on the type of tube and the desired quality of the seal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tube material | Plastic, laminate, metal, aluminium |
| Tube type | Squeeze, extruded plastic, collapsible, in-mold label, composite |
| Tube contents | Liquid, gel, food ingredients, cosmetics, glue, medication |
| Sealing methods | Hot air, ultrasonic, high frequency, impulse, hot jaw, hot air closing, metal tube crimp |
| Tube closure type | One-piece, flat wall, vertical ribs, horizontal fins |
| Tube closure size | 3/8" to 6" diameter, various colours |
| Tube closure finish | Gloss, matte, textured |
| Tube sealing machine | Tube sealer, tube closing machine |
| Resealing methods | Airtight cap, cling wrap and rubber band, electrician or plastic tape |
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What You'll Learn
Hot air sealing
One key advantage of hot air sealing is its ability to work with a wide range of tube materials. This versatility is due to the use of hot air to soften the tube walls, allowing for a strong weld to be formed without the need for custom-made size parts. This makes hot air sealing particularly useful for products that may experience product contamination in the seal area, such as tubes that are prone to overfilling.
However, one drawback of hot air sealing is the additional cost associated with the need for specific hot air nozzles sized to each tube diameter. This can increase the expense of the change parts required for different tube runs. Nonetheless, hot air sealing remains a popular choice due to its speed, versatility, and ability to provide a professional seal with a clean aesthetic finish.
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Ultrasonic sealing
During ultrasonic sealing, the high-frequency vibrations cause friction inside the seal area of the tube, generating heat that melts the plastic. The end of the tube is then held closed and cooled under pressure between the sealing horn and a matching anvil, completing the seal.
When selecting a tube-sealing method, it is essential to consider factors such as the level of quality needed, the type of tube being sealed, production speed, and the desired final appearance of the tube.
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High-frequency sealing
The process involves creating an eddy current in the aluminium layer of the tube, heating the plastic layers and causing them to melt. Once the desired temperature is reached, the tube is clamped and cooled, forming a strong seal. This technique is especially effective for sealing tubes with multiple layers, as it can penetrate through to heat the inner layers.
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Hot-jaw sealing
First, heat is applied to the outside of the tube, which then continues through to the inner tube walls. Then, the crimping jaws apply pressure to seal the tube. This method is less efficient than other types of sealing and requires more time to achieve the tube seal. The seal appearance is also less professional.
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Plastic tube closures
Plastic tubes are used to package a variety of products, including food ingredients, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products like glue. The choice of sealing method depends on the type of tube and the product contained within. Here are some commonly used methods for plastic tube closures:
Hot Air Sealing
Hot air sealing is the most popular method for sealing plastic tubes. It is ideal for collapsible tubes made from laminated plastic. This process involves using hot air to melt the inner walls of the tube, which is then clamped tightly together to form an airtight seal. Hot air sealing is the fastest method for sealing plastic tubes and can be used with all plastic and laminate tubes.
Ultrasonic Sealing
Ultrasonic sealing is a budget-friendly option that uses high-frequency vibrations to heat and seal the plastic of the tube. This method is slower than hot air sealing and may not provide the same high-quality visual appearance. However, it requires fewer change parts and can seal through product contamination in the seal area.
High-Frequency Sealing
High-frequency sealing uses energy to heat the aluminium and plastic layers of the tube. When the desired temperature is reached, the tube is clamped and cooled to form a seal.
Impulse Sealing and Hot-Jaw Sealing
Impulse sealing and hot-jaw sealing are additional options for sealing plastic tubes. Hot-jaw sealing is one of the simplest and most cost-effective methods, but it may result in subpar seal quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Some methods to close a plastic tube include hot air sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high-frequency sealing, and hot-jaw sealing.
Hot air sealing is when the inside seal area of the tube is heated by hot air and then transferred to the closing station where the tube is pressed together and chilled.
Ultrasonic sealing is when an ultrasonic sealing horn creates high-frequency vibrations to heat the plastic of the tube in the seal area, causing the plastic to melt. The end of the tube is held closed under pressure between the sealing horn and matching anvil to cool and complete the seal.
High-frequency sealing is when energy is used to heat the plastic layers of the tube. When the tube reaches the desired temperature, it is clamped and cooled.
Some ways to reseal a plastic sealant tube include placing the tip you cut off back inside the tube, pushing a nail or screw into the opening, wrapping cling wrap around the nozzle and securing it with a rubber band, or sealing the tip with electrician or plastic tape.
