Shrinkage Tester for Plastic Films – Accurate Thermal Shrinkage
Analysis for Packaging, Food, and Medical Applications
The Shrinkage Tester is an advanced laboratory instrument specifically designed for
evaluating the thermal shrinkage characteristics of plastic films and flexible sheet materials. Commonly used in
packaging, food processing, medical, and beverage industries, this
device plays a critical role in ensuring the dimensional stability
and heat resistance of materials when exposed to elevated
temperatures.
This Shrinkage Tester complies with internationally recognized standards such as ISO 11501, ASTM D2732, and GB/T 13519, which define procedures for measuring the free shrinkage of plastic films in a fluid medium. It accurately determines the unrestrained linear shrinkage of films at various temperatures, offering reliable data for
quality control, research, and product development.
Why Thermal Shrinkage Testing Is Important
Plastic films, especially those used in shrink packaging and food
wraps, must maintain specific physical properties during processing
and use. If the film shrinks excessively or inconsistently when
exposed to heat, it may compromise packaging performance, shelf
life, and visual appeal. A Shrinkage Tester provides critical information about how a material behaves under
thermal stress, which is essential for:
Packaging line optimization
Material formulation improvements
Product development and innovation
Regulatory and compliance assurance
Key Features of the Shrinkage Tester
The ISO 11501 Film Free Shrinkage Tester comes equipped with features tailored for precision,
repeatability, and user safety in laboratory environments. These
features make it suitable for diverse industrial sectors that rely
on thin plastic films for product protection and presentation.
1. Advanced P.I.D. Temperature Control
Ensures precise and stable temperature settings, reducing error
margins in test results. This high-level control mechanism allows
consistent thermal environments during the shrinkage test.
2. High-Precision Timer
Allows accurate timing for thermal exposure, which is crucial when
testing film shrinkage over specific durations to determine
consistency and performance under real-world conditions.
3. Integrated Alarm Function
The instrument includes an automatic alarm system that alerts users
to operational anomalies, over-temperature events, or testing
completion, ensuring safe and efficient use in laboratories.
4. Uniform Heating System
The fluid medium heating system ensures stable, even heat
distribution throughout the chamber, minimizing temperature
fluctuations and providing reliable, reproducible test outcomes.
5. Standardized Sample Clamping Mechanism
Features a standardized square metal clamp and free shrink holder,
designed to fix the film sample in place without causing mechanical
distortion, ensuring accurate shrinkage measurement.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Maximum Specimen Size | ≤160 mm × 160 mm |
| Temperature Range | Room temperature ~ 200°C |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.3°C |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 370 mm × 440 mm × 280 mm |
This Shrinkage Tester is engineered for high-accuracy performance in material science
labs and industrial quality control environments.
Applicable Standards
The Shrinkage Tester is compliant with the following global standards:
ISO 11501: Plastics—Film and sheeting—Determination of dimensional change on
heating
ASTM D2732: Standard Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of
Plastic Film and Sheeting
GB/T 13519: Chinese national standard for testing plastic films
Compliance with these standards ensures that the data produced is
consistent, valid for international trade, and usable in product
certifications.
Applications of the Shrinkage Tester
This instrument is widely applicable across several industries due
to the increasing use of plastic films in product protection and
packaging. Major application sectors include:
1. Packaging Industry
Used to evaluate shrink wrap films, food pouches, and multilayer
laminates to ensure material behavior meets packaging requirements.
2. Food and Beverage Industry
Helps in assessing shrink films used for bottled drinks, dairy
packaging, frozen food trays, and more, ensuring performance under
distribution and storage conditions.
3. Medical and Pharmaceutical Sector
Used for testing sterilization pouch materials, blister packaging
films, and other medical-grade shrinkable films that require
dimensional stability during sterilization processes.
4. Research Institutions and Universities
Ideal for educational institutions conducting research in polymer
science, material engineering, and packaging innovation.
Benefits of Using the Shrinkage Tester
Improved Material Selection: Determine the best plastic films for specific thermal
applications.
Enhanced Quality Control: Ensure product packaging maintains integrity during
transportation and storage.
Reduced Packaging Failures: Identify and eliminate underperforming materials early in the
development cycle.
Regulatory Compliance: Simplify documentation and testing procedures required by
industry standards.
User-Friendly Design for Efficient Operation
Designed for simplicity and functionality, the Shrinkage Tester features an intuitive interface, minimal maintenance requirements,
and robust construction suitable for daily laboratory use. Its
compact footprint fits well on standard lab benches, and the fluid
bath is designed for easy cleaning and handling.
The combination of intelligent design and high-end components makes
the Shrinkage Tester an indispensable tool for any lab involved in plastic film testing
and development.
Trustworthy Results Backed by Technical Expertise
Built to support rigorous testing environments, this Shrinkage Tester is manufactured with precision engineering and adheres to
international standards. Whether you're conducting R&D,
managing production quality, or performing academic research, this
instrument offers reliable results that support confident
decision-making.
With its high-temperature accuracy, stable test conditions, and
repeatable outcomes, it contributes to consistent production and
packaging quality across industries.
Cell Instruments – Your Trusted Partner in Physical Property
Testing
At Cell Instruments, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality testing instruments
for materials science applications. Our instruments are used
globally in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, packaging,
electronics, and education. The Shrinkage Tester is just one example of our commitment to delivering precision, reliability, and value to our customers.
We also offer customization services to tailor the Shrinkage Tester
to specific requirements, including:
Summary of Key Advantages
Complies with ISO 11501 and ASTM D2732
Accurate thermal shrinkage measurement up to 200°C
Suitable for a wide range of plastic film materials
Trusted by professionals in quality control and R&D
Customizable to meet specific industrial needs
