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

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:

• Automation integration

• Larger sample holders

• Extended temperature range options

• Data logging and remote monitoring capabilities

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

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