Polyethylene

Terephthalate
(PET)

Processing Guidelines
Troubleshooting Guide
Injection Moulding
Stretch Blow Moulding
Recommended Tests & Equipment
INDEX
PROCESSING GUIDELINES
Drying
Drying Conditions
Dryer Startup
Dryer Specification
Injection Moulding
Resin Inlet Temperature
Barrel Temperature
Nozzle Temperature
Manifold Hot Runner Temperature
Injection Speed
Stretch Blow Moulding

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Injection Moulding Defects
1) Short Shots
2) Sink Marks
3) Flash
4) Water Marks
5) Black Specs / Contamination
6) Flow Lines
7) Heat Splay
8) PET Inclusion
9) Concentricity
10) Crystalline Gate
11) Long Gate
12) Air Bubbles
13) Stress Pattern
14) Stringing
15) Cloudy Preforms
16) Hollow Gates
17) Discolored Preforms
18) Line Over Finish
19) Burnt Gates
20) Oval Finish
21) Gas Burns
22) High Acetaldehyde

Stretch Blow Moulding Defects

1) Blown Finish
2) Sealing Surface Damage
3) Chocked Neck
4) Bent Neck
5) Hard Neck
6) Thin Shoulder
7) Hot Bottles
8) Excessive fill point drop
9) Pearlescence
10) Flat Sides
11) Deformation at mold parting lin
12) Chocked Body
13) Heavy Base Weight
14) Light Base Weight
15) Feet not fully formed
16) Hot Sides
17) Low Head Load
18) Low Burst Pressure (Body)
19) Low Burst Pressure (Base)
20) Poor Clearance
21) Fold in End Cap Line
22) Fold Around Stretch Rod
23) Cracked Base

24) Swung Gate

25) Stress Cracking
26) Explosion
27) Drop Test Failures

PROCESSING GUIDELINES
THE processing guidelines set out below cover the two major processes involved in the
conversion of PET resin into preforms and containers, namely:
1. INJECTION MOLDING
2. STRETCH BLOW MOLDING.
The resin preparation conditions and barrel temperature profile recommended on the injection
molder could also be used on extrusion barrel, in converting PET resin into amorphous sheet.
DRYING:
Drying Conditions:
This is the first and most crucial step in converting PET resin into perform/container/sheet. If the
drying equipment is not adequate or is not functioning efficiently then it is highly unlikely that
you will produce an acceptable product. The dried resin should have a moisture content not more
than 50 PPM.
Recommended Drying Temperature: 160 - 180 C
Recommended Drying Time
5- 6 hours
Dryer Start-Up :
The time / temperature profile recommended when first starting the dryer or starting from a
major shut down is as below. The first hour at 120 The next two hours 150 The next two hours
180 C
Dryer Specification:
Able to heat air up to 200 C Able to deliver air flow rate in the order of 0.062 metre cube/ min
per kg/ hr of resin being processed. Able to deliver hot dehumidified air with a minimum of
40.0C dew point.
Dryer Resin Level:
To give approximately 5 to 6times the kg/hr capacity of the injection molder or extruder incase
of sheet extrusion.
INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS:
This is the process by which the resin is converted from dried pellets to perform.
Resin Inlet Temperature:
It is better to have a temperature of 160 -170 C on the resin entering the feed zone of the

extruder.
Barrel Temperature Profile:
For other than water grade resin it is recommended to use a temperature of 265C in the feed
zone gradually increasing towards the metering zone 280 C. For the water grade resin however,
it is recommended to use a reverse temperature profile, with highest temperature in the feed
zone, say 280 C and gradually lowering towards the metering zone.
Recommended temperature: 265 - 280 C
Nozzle Temperature:
Recommended temperature: 270 - 280 C
Manifold Hot Runner Temperature:
Recommended temperature: 270 - 280 C
Mold Cooling Water Inlet Temperature:
Recommended temperature: 7 to 8 C
Injection Speed:
As required to fill the cavity with minimum shear and dependent on the gate size.
STRETCH BLOW MOLDING PROCESS:
The most commonly available stretch blow molding machines are the:Single stage stretch blow
molder ( preform & bottle made on the same machine).They are AOKI, NISSEI, UNILOY,
etc.Two stage stretch blow molder (reheating and blowing of preforms made onInjection
molder).They are SIDEL, KRUPP, SIPA, etc.The processing conditions depend on the type of
process used and the mostcommon parametersto be controlled are:
o Preform Temperature.o Re-heating oven profile and over all oven percentage.
o Oven sheilds o Bottle blowing speed, bottles/hour.
o Stretch rod speed
o Air delay time o Pre-blow pressure.
o High blow time.
o High blow pressure.
o Blow mold cooling.
Optimizing of the above parameters depend on several factors such as :
o Preform design.
o Preform intrinsic viscosity.
o Preform infrared absorbing characteristics.
o Bottle design.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Injection Moulding
1 Problem: SHORT SHOTS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Injection Pressure low
o Barrel temperature low
o Mould manifold temp. low
o Mould cavity temp. low
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
oIncrease injection pressure
o Increase barrel temperature
o Increase mould manifold temperature
o Increase mould cavity temperature
o Injection speed low
o Back pressure low
o Increase injection speed
o Increase back pressure
o Clean vent on split, core and cavity
o Check that no foreign object is in gate area.
o Check that the gate pin is moving all the way back
2 Problem: SINK MARKS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Holding pressure low
o Holding time low
o High mold temperature
o Inadequate coolant supply
o Cooling time low
o Blocked venting
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Increase holding pressure
o Increase holding time
o Decrease mould temperature
o Check cooling water
o Increase cooling time
o Clean vents on split, core and cavity
3 Problem: FLASH
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Injection pressure high
o High injection speed
o Unwanted material in cores
o Unwanted material in splits
o Unwanted material in cavity

o High mold temperature

o High barrel temperature
o Clamping pressure low
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Decrease Injection pressure
o Decrease injection speed
o Clean cores
o Clean splits
o Clean cavity
o Decrease mould temperature
o Decrease barrel temperature
o Increase clamp pressure
4 Problem: WATER MARKS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Leaking hoseso Leaking mould
o Insufficient dehumidification
o Mold enclosure inadequate
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check hoses on mould for damage
o Check mould for leaks
o Check that dehumidifier is working properly
o Check that the machine enclosures has no major gaps
5 Problem: BLACK SPECS /CONTAMINATION
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Contaminated resin
o High residence time prior to restart of the machine
o Degradation of resin
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check for resin cleanliness
o Clean the resin hopper
o Purge the barrel thoroughly on restart
o Reduce melt temperature
o Reduce back pressure
6 Problem: FLOW LINES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Injection pressure low
o Mould temperature low
o Barrel temperature low
o Injection speed low
o Drier inefficient
o Back pressure low
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

o Increase injection pressure

o Increase mould temperature
o Increase barrel temperature
o Increase injection speed
o Check resin drier
o Increase back pressure
7 Problem: HEAT SPLAY
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Manifold and mold heater Malfunction.
o Barrel temperature high
o Foreign matter in the gate
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check temperature of mould cavity heater sand Manifold
o Check barrel temperature
o Check that no foreign material is in gate area
8 Problem: PET INCLUSIONS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Low barrel temperature
o Low mould temperature
o Back pressure low
o Mixing head damage
o Check valve damage
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check barrel temperature
o Check mould temperature
o Increase back pressure
o Check that the mixing head of the screw or the screw is not broken. Of Inspect the check valve
on thescrew (not Husky Machine)
9 Problem: CONCENTRICITY
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Injection speed high
o Injection core bent
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Decrease injection speed
o Check that the injection core is not bentand straighten it.
10 Problem: CRYSTALLINE GATE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Cavity heater malfunction
o Cavity temperature low
o Manifold temperature low
o Drier malfunction

o Hold pressure high

o Foreign material in gate
o Cooling insufficient
o Core cooling inadequate
o Fountain in core rod damage
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check that the cavity heater is working
o Increase the cavity temperature
o Increase the manifold temperature
o Check that the drier is working
o Decrease injection hold pressure
o Check that no foreign object obstructs the cavity gate
o Increase cooling time
o Check water flow through the injectioncore and cavity
o Check that the fountain in the injectioncore is not bent
11 Problem: LONG GATE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Cavity heater malfunction
o Cavity heater low
o Gate valve malfunction
o Shut-off nozzle malfunction
o Short decompression time
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check cavity heater
o Increase cavity temperature
o Check that the gate valve is working
o Check that the barrel shut-off nozzle is working
o Increase decompression time
12 Problem: AIR BUBBLES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Barrel temperature low
o Inefficient drying
o Low back pressure
o Barrel temperature
o Mixing head damage
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check barrel temperature
o Check drier temperature
o Increase back pressure
o Lower temperature at last extruder zone
o Check extruder mixing head
13 Problem: STRESS PATTERN
POSSIBLE CAUSES

o High injection pressure

o High shot size
o Long hold time
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Decrease injection pressure
o Reduce shot size
o Decrease injection hold time
14 Problem: STRINGING
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o High cavity temperature
o Low cooling time
o Low hold time
o Inadequate coolant to cavity
o Gate valve malfunction
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce cavity temperature
o Increase cooling time
o Increase injection hold time
o Check water flow to cavities
o Check that gate valves are working
15 Problem: CLOUDY PREFORMS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Inefficient Drying
o Blocked drier filters
o Air leaks on the drier
o Air leaks on machine hoppers
o Low air flow to drying hopper
o Low process air temperature
o Barrel temperature low
o Insufficient drying
o Back pressure low
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check drier temperature and dew point
o Clean drier air filters
o Check for air leaks on drier
o Check for air leaks on machine hopper
o Check air flow to hopper
o Increase drier process temperature
o Increase barrel temperature
o Shut machine down for 1 hour and dry material
o Increase back pressure
16Problem: HOLLOW GATES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Packing pressure low
o Hold time low
o Insufficient cooling time

o High cavity temperature

o Foreign material in gate
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Increase packing pressure
o Increase holding time
o Increase cooling time
o Lower cavity temperature
o Check for foreign material in gate area.
17 Problem: DISCOLORED PREFORMS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o High barrel temperature
o High mold temperature
o High drying temperature
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Lower barrel temperature
o Lower injection mould temperature
o Lower drier process temperature
18 Problem: LINE OVER FINISH
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Contaminated splits
o Low packing pressure
o Insufficient packing time
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Clean splits
o Increase packing pressure
o Increase packing time
19 Problem: BURNT GATES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o High cavity temperature
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce cavity temperature
20 Problem: OVAL FINISH
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Insufficient cooling
Hold time low
o Insufficient cooling
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o High core and cavity temperatures
o Increase cooling time
o Increase injection hold time
o Check water temperature and water flow to injection Mould

o Check temperature of injection cores and cavities

21Problem: GAS BURNS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o High injection speed
o Contaminated splits
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Decrease injection speed
o Clean splits
22 Problem: HIGH ACETALDEHYDE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o High residual AA in resin
o High barrel temperature
o High back pressure
o High screw speed
o High injection speed
o High mold manifold temperature
o High nozzle tip temperature
o Long cycle time
o High extruder / screw cushion
o Low inlet resin temperature
o Unsuitable screw
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check for resin AA levels
o Reduce the barrel temperature
o Reduce back pressure
o Reduce screw RPM
o Reduce injection speed
o Reduce mold manifold temperature
o Reduce cycle time
o Reduce cushion
o Increase inlet resin temperature

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Stretch Blow Moulding
1 Problem: BLOWN FINISH
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Overheating of the finish area which allows blow pressure air to stretch the material.
o Oven ambient temperature to high
o Incorrect loading height, too much of the finish is exposed to the elements
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Move shield away from finish into a thicker part of the preforms taper
o Bring shield close to perform
o Increase oven exhaust
o Reduce neck element heat
2 Problem: SEALING SURFACE DAMAGE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Misalignment of the preform, blow mould and blow nozzle usually caused by poor transfer arm
positioning.
o Blow mold position.
o Nozzle position.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Realign transfer arm
o Realign blow mould or nozzle if necessary
3 Problem: CHOCKED NECK
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Over stretching of the preform by the stretch rod prior to blow.
o Low blow delayed or missing
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce air delay time
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
o Move shield into a thicker part of the taper o Increase heat in the body or base
o Increase low blow pressure
o Reduce heat in the neck
4 Problem: BENT NECK
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Misalignment of the preform to the mould or nose.
o Distortion below the flange
a) Insufficient mould cooling
b) One mould half with poor cooling
o Excessive material remained in the neck and shoulder.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Realignment of the preform to the nose or mould.
o Reduce material thickness in the shoulder by reducing heat in the body
o Increase high blow time
o Improve mould cooling
5 Problem: HARD NECK
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Initial stretching occurs too lowint
o the preforms taper.
o Preform location incorrectthrough oven.
o Air leak into preform before thestart of low blow.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce heat in the body and/ or base until pearlescence occurs then increase neck temperature.
o Increase stretch rod pressure
o Increase air delay time
o Reduce low blow pressure
o Move shield into the thinner part of the taper o Check height of preform though oven.
o Check for air leak through nose
6 Problem: THIN SHOULDER
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Excessive stretching of the taper. Stations producing a smaller low blow container will be first
withthe fault or the thinnest.
o Poor shield positioning, allowing excessive stretching of the thin part of the taper.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Move shield into a thicker part of the preforms taper.
o Reduce air delay time
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
o Increase low blow pressure
o Reduce heat in the neck. If thickening occurs below desired area Increase heat below the neck
element.
7 Problem: HOT BOTTLES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Preform temperature above crystalgrowth range for to long
o Insufficient cooling of the outsidesurface for the amount of heatabsorbed by the P.E.T.
o Excessive equilibration time
oPreform wall thickness excessiveblowers.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce heat adjacent to the haze untilpearlescence is evident somewhere onthe bottle
o Reduce heat over all until pearlescenceis evident.
o Increase air circulation through oven,increase blower speed, clean blowers.

8 Problem: EXCESSIVE FILL POINT DROP

POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Low levels of orientation results in the material not having enough strength to resist the
pressure applied.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce over all perform temperature allowing the bottle to be blown closer to its natural
stretch limit. Under this condition slight pearlescence may be evident
9 Problem: PEARLESCENCE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Pearlescence results from stretching of molecules faster than they can respond past it's natural
stretch limit. Small tears appear on the material's surface.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Material to thin - Increase heat other than where pearl is evident.
o Where the pearlescent area may be allowed to stretch further increase heat at pearl.
o Increase overall preform temperature
o Pearlescence opposite a swung gate (Refer Swung Gate)
o Pearlescence on the bottle shoulder may be the result of a blow air leak through nose from
either the low valve, high blow valve or stretch rod
oReduce low blow volume, increase low blow timeand reduce low blow pressure.
o Ensure low blow bottle is not to large. Excessive petal formation in low blow will cause pearl
in the petal area.
o Pearlescence in the body in the form of a ring is the result of insufficient low blow.
10 Problem: FLAT SIDES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Poor venting due to excessive parting of the blow moulds allowing air to be trapped along the
mould seams
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Ensure excessive mould parting does not occur o Increase low blow pressure ensuring bottle
diameter is close to blow mould size
o Low blow bottle too small. In this case the volume of air trying to escape during high blow is
more than the venting can allow.
o Low blow bottle blown to fast.
o Excessive high blow pressure at the end of low blow to minimize air that remains in the blow
mould before high blow starts.
o Reduce low blow pressure and extend low blow time if the body of the bottle has
reached the mould
o Reduce high blow pressure
11 Problem: DEFORMATION AT MOULD PARTING LINES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Pressure remaining in the bottle when blow moulds open.

o Insufficient high blow cooling time

o Material too hot and/or too thick
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Inadequate exhaust time, check exhaust valve activation.
o Increase high blow time or reduce material thickness
o Reduce material thickness
o Reduce preform temperature
12 Problem: CHOCKED BODY
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Insufficient or no low blow
o Insufficient heat beside choke
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Increase low blow pressure
o Increase heat in the body
o Reduce heat in the base and/ or neck.
o Reduce air delay time
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
13 Problem: HEAVY BASE WEIGHT
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Incorrect heating profile resulting in a poor distribution of material, over stretching of the
body or shoulder
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce heat in the body and/ or shoulder until pearlescence occurs then increase heat at the
base. Repeat until the base weight is correct.
14 Problem: LIGHT BASE WEIGHT
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Poor heating profile resulting in poor distribution of material, insufficient stretching of the
body or shoulder.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce heat near the base of the perform until pearlescence occurs then increase heat to the
shoulder and/or body. Repeat until base weight is correct
o Increase air delay time
o Increase stretch rod pressure
o Reduce low blow pressure
o Reduce oven shielding of the taper
15 Problem: FEET NOT FULLY FORMED
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Insufficient high blow pressure. Rate of high blow too slow, material movement stalls before
reaching the corners. Often as a result of blow nozzle leak
o Insufficient high blow time. If adding high
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

o Check high pressure. If possible. If station related check for high blow leaks from nozzle or
stretch rod
o Increase high blow time
o Reduce base weight by reducing
16 Problem: HOT SIDES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Inconsistent preform rotation through the oven
o Insufficient surface cooling of the preform
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Check the preform for a drag marl. Ensure oven shields are not touching the preform. Check
collect, spindle or mandrel rotation
o Increase air flow onto the surface of the preform
17 Problem: LOW HEADLOAD
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Insufficient orientation and/or material thickness to deliver the required physical strength
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce over all preform temperature
o Reduce heat beside failure point
o Where failures occur between neck and shoulder adjust shield into a thicker part of the taper
18 Problem: LOW BURST PRESSURE (BODY)
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Insufficient orientation (Too hot)
o Material to thin
o Confirmationo Low IV
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce preform temperatureo Reduce body heat
19 Problem: LOW BURST PRESSURE (BASE)
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Base of bottle blown too coldproducing excessive stresso Stretch rod clearance too short
o Excessive crystallinity at the gate
o Low IV
o Excessive stress in preform
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Increase heat below the perform
o Reset stretch rod clearance
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
20Problem: POOR CLEARANCE
POSSIBLE CAUSES

o Preform temperature too high

o Heavy base weight
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Base weight correct or light, reduce heat beside and/or below the gate
o Endcap temperature too high
o Aged performs
o Insufficient mould cooling
o Excessive inherent preform stress
o Base weight to heavy, reduce perform temperature
o Increase high blow time.
21Problem: FOLD IN BASE AT END CAP LINE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Preform temperature to hot
o Preform endcap area to cold
o An excess of material in the vicinityof the fold
o Lack or loss of low blow volume
o Excessive force applied by thestretch rod
o Aged or stressed preforms
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce heat in the areas other than the base. If the fold remains after pearlescence has formed.
Heat may be applied to the preform end cap area.
o Increase low blow pressure
o Reduce air delay time
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
22Problem: FOLD AROUND THE STRETCH ROD
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Over heating of the preformend cap, material wraps around the end of the stretch rod. In effect
another thick/ thin transition forms
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Reduce heat or below the end cap area
o Increase low blow pressure
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
23Problem: CRACKED BASE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Preform end cap too cold
o Excessive stretch rod pressure
o Clearance between the stretch rod and mould base too small
o Thick crystallinity above the gate
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Increase heat beside or below the gate
o Reduce stretch rod pressure
o Check preform for excessive crystallinity, if so change preforms.

o Increase stretch rod, mould base gap

24Problem: SWUNG GATE / OFF- CENTERED
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o First impacted mark is evident and is not centered to the gate, an alignment problem is usually
the cause. Check for misalignment. Ensure transfer arm locates preform in mould correctly.
o Check blow mould cooling
o If the first impact mark is centered, the stretch rod has lost control of the gate during blow.
Often gate control is lost due to excessive growth in length during low blow. Ideally growth
should start high in the preform reaching full diameter before full length if length is achieved
before diameter the rod must travel further than normal to keep up.
o Reduce low bottle size
o Increase air delay time
o Reset stretch rod height
o Check the gap between stretch rod tip and base mould. maintain .5 to 1mm.
o Increse primary blow delay and secondary blow delay.
o Increase l.p. air pressure.
o check the stretch rod speed and increase if necassary.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Misalignment of the preform to the mould, nozzle or stretch rod.
o Inadequate mould cooling, one half only If the gate is centered to the stretch rod impact mark
and yet not centered to the mould base at the end of blow the stretch rod has lost control during
blow.
o Lower half of preform too hot
o Low blow pressure too high
o Air delay time too short
o Stretch rod length too short
o Excessive stretch rod cushioning
o Worn stretch rod guides
o Excessive preform eccentricity
o Thick crystallinity near gate
25Problem: STRESS CRACKING
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Off center gates. Webs with the thinnest material will stress crack early.
o Excessive post mould change. As clearance deteriorates web shape changes increasing the risk
of stress cracking.
o Excessive growth at the base cust line. Temperature of the lower half of the preform's body is
to high
o Chemical reaction by some line lubricants.
o Low I.V. material
o Light base weight. Inadequate thickness
o resist movement.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Fix swung gate.

o Reduce preform temperature to pearlescence, reduce base weight if necessary. Increase high
blow time
o Reduce heat in the preform's lower body
o Line lubricants generally cause severe stress cracking in all feet.
o Increase base weight

26Problem: EXPLOSIONS
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Hot bottles (Refer Hot Bottles)o Folds in the base
o Light base weight
o Excessive post mould growth
o Low I.V.
o Chemical Reaction (Refer stress Cracking)
o Contamination
o Air bubbles above the gate
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Refer Causes
o Stress Cracking
o Cracked bases
o Excessive crystallinity
27Problem: DROP TEST FAILURES
POSSIBLE CAUSES
o Preform end cap blown too cold
o Light base weight
o Excessive crystallinity above gate.
o Large air bubbles above the gate
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
o Increasing heat at the gate or below without loosing base weight usually improves drop test
failure.
o Increase base weight.