In vape devices, the application of food-grade plastics is quite common. Their stability in high-temperature atomization environments is of vital importance. This not only affects the performance of the product but is also closely related to the health and safety of the users.
There are numerous types of food-grade plastics, and different types of plastics have distinct properties and heat stability. For instance, food-grade PPSU (polyphenylene sulfoxide) is a high-performance thermoplastic. Due to its molecular structure consisting of alternating benzene rings and sulfoxide groups, it has excellent high-temperature resistance. It is flame-retardant without the addition of flame retardants and can be used for a long time in high-temperature environments above 200℃. Its short-term temperature resistance can even reach 260℃. Meanwhile, it has good resistance to chemicals such as acids, alkalis and oils, and is not easily eroded. In a high-temperature atomization environment, PPSU can maintain good stability and will not easily decompose or release harmful substances. This makes it widely used in the food and medical industries, and also suitable for the manufacturing of vape components with high requirements for safety and stability.
Food-grade PP (polypropylene) material is generally harmless to the human body, but there are certain variables in high-temperature environments. When in normal use, its heat resistance can meet general requirements. However, when the temperature exceeds the tolerance limit, a small amount of harmful substances may seep out. In the high-temperature atomization environment of vapes, if food-grade PP material is used, the working temperature range must be strictly controlled to avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, so as to prevent its stability from being affected and reduce the risk of harmful substance release. Generally, the heat resistance limit of food-grade PP material is around 160-170 ℃. Once it exceeds this temperature range, its molecular structure may change, leading to performance decline and safety hazards.
Food-grade ABS plastic can maintain stable performance within the range of low temperature -40 ℃ to high temperature 120℃. During the high-temperature atomization process of vapes, as long as the temperature is controlled within its tolerance range, good stability can be maintained. It has good dimensional stability, high impact strength and excellent fatigue resistance. In terms of chemical properties, it also has good oil resistance and resistance to some chemical reagents. However, when using food-grade ABS plastic to make vape components, it is also necessary to avoid using them at excessively high temperatures to prevent the release of harmful substances or performance deterioration at high temperatures.
In high-temperature atomization environments, the stability of food-grade plastics is also affected by other factors. On the one hand, the chemical substances produced during the atomization process may react with the plastic. Although food-grade plastics have a certain tolerance to common chemical substances, long-term exposure to specific chemical substances may still affect their stability. For instance, some components in e-liquid may have a weak reaction with plastic at high temperatures. Although there may be no obvious change in the short term, problems such as material aging and performance decline may occur after long-term use. On the other hand, the processing technology also has an impact on the stability of food-grade plastics at high temperatures. If the production process does not meet the standards, it may lead to an uneven internal structure of the plastic, making it more prone to deformation and decomposition in high-temperature environments.
When conducting safety tests on food-grade plastics used in e-cigarettes, it is necessary to simulate a high-temperature atomization environment to test the physical and chemical property changes of the plastics at different temperatures and times. The inspection items include whether harmful substances are released, whether deformation or decomposition occurs, and whether mechanical properties change, etc. Only through strict testing to ensure that food-grade plastics have good stability in high-temperature atomization environments can the safety and reliability of vape products be guaranteed.
Overall, the stability of food-grade plastics in high-temperature atomization environments varies depending on the material and is influenced by multiple factors. In the production of vapes, it is necessary to carefully select appropriate food-grade plastics and strictly control the production process and usage conditions to ensure product safety and provide users with a reassuring usage experience.