Question

Which of the following packaging material with a thickness of about 0.2 millimeter is best suited for blister packaging?

• A. Linear low-density polyethylene
• B. High-density polyethylene
• C. Polyvinyl chloride
• D. Polyvinylidene chloride

Hint:

PVC is the gold standard for thermoformed blister cavities due to its excellent rigidity and easy thermoforming characteristics at $0.2\text{ mm}$ thickness.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Blister packaging consists of a thermoformed plastic pocket or cavity (the blister) sealed to a backing material (usually aluminum foil or paperboard).
The plastic material used for the blister must have excellent thermoforming properties, high rigidity, and clarity at thin gauges.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the polymers for blister packaging applications:
- LLDPE and HDPE are highly flexible, translucent semi-crystalline polymers that do not thermoform into rigid, clear blister cavities easily.
- PVDC has excellent barrier properties but is expensive and difficult to process alone; it is typically used as a thin coating on other films rather than as a standalone $0.2\text{ mm}$ sheet.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is an amorphous polymer with outstanding rigidity, thermoformability, and optical clarity.
PVC sheets with a thickness of $0.2\text{ mm}$ to $0.3\text{ mm}$ are the standard, most widely used materials for forming the rigid cavities in blister packaging.
Therefore, PVC is the best-suited material.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The packaging material best suited for blister packaging is Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).