“It is never possible to predict a physical occurrence with unlimited precision.” - Max Planck
Contamination of manufactured products is a broad-ranging subject. Let’s first review the definitions of “contamination” and, since even the definitions are topically wide, we’ve narrowed in to a couple that make sense for the manufacturing industry.
From Wikipedia: “Contamination is the presence of a constituent, impurity, or some other undesirable element that spoils, corrupts, infects, makes unfit, or makes inferior a material, physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc.
In environmental chemistry, the term "contamination" is in some cases virtually equivalent to pollution, where the main interest is the harm done on a large scale to humans, organisms, or environments."
"An environmental contaminant may be chemical in nature, though it may also be a biological (pathogenic bacteria, virus, invasive species) or physical (energy) agent."
That which damages humans will damage materials and products as well.
Astute engineers and businesses will also look at contamination from a legal perspective.
From Law Insider: “Contaminated Product means a product that contains a Prohibited Substance that is not disclosed on the product label or in information available in a reasonable internet search;
Contaminated Product means Product that has one or more of the following characteristics: (a) contains foreign substances not inherent or naturally occurring in Product; and/or (b) fails to meet Operator’s minimum specifications.”
Read More
Liberty Intercept Blog
Joe Spitz
Recent Posts
Your Lifeline in a Chaotic Supply Chain
Posted by Joe Spitz on Oct 11, 2024 1:47:10 PM
Navigating the Storm: Overcoming Supply Chain Disruptions with Intercept
Consider all the global supply chain problems the world has faced in recent years, including:
Topics: Intercept Technology packaging, barrier packaging, corrosion prevention, supply chain safety net, protective packaging, contamination
Condensation and Corrosion Control: Protect Product Integrity
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 16, 2024 1:39:48 PM
Condensation, often manifested as water droplets forming on cold surfaces in humid environments, poses a significant risk to product quality and longevity. This phenomenon is especially prevalent during shipping and storage, where temperature fluctuations are common. Any resulting condensation will accelerate corrosion, leading to product defects, performance issues, and financial losses.
Contaminants present on product surfaces exacerbate corrosion when combined with condensation to form an electrolytic solution. The rapid onset of corrosion can result in visible damage upon product unpacking, rendering products unusable or non-compliant with warranty terms. Even when corrosion is not yet visible to the eye, product failure is accelerated due to corrosion.
To mitigate the risks associated with condensation and corrosion, several preventive measures can be implemented:
Read MoreTopics: corrosion, corrosion prevention, seasonal corrosion, protective packaging, contamination
Contamination Testing
Posted by Joe Spitz on May 21, 2024 11:02:06 AM
Topics: American manufacturing, better packaging, reliability, reasons for packaging, standard tests, contamination
Packaging's Crucial Role vs FOD
Posted by Joe Spitz on May 20, 2024 3:54:44 PM
In the battle against foreign object damage (FOD), packaging plays a vital role in safeguarding products against contamination.
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, barrier packaging, better packaging, ESD, reliability, reasons for packaging, innovation in packaging, long-term storage
Customer Service with a Smile
Posted by Joe Spitz on Apr 3, 2024 11:23:39 AM
"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?" – George Eliot, Novelist
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, reliability, Liberty Packaging, customer service
Statue of Liberty Copper Patina = Corrosion
Posted by Joe Spitz on Feb 6, 2024 3:03:28 PM
“The first step to change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
~Nathaniel Branden
Read MoreTopics: barrier packaging, better packaging, manufacturers, Statue of Liberty, manufacturing, quality, corrosion prevention
Practical Applications for Intercept: Covers + Liners + Inserts
Posted by Joe Spitz on Sep 29, 2023 12:48:20 PM
“The first step to change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
Read MoreTopics: better packaging, manufacturers, custom packaging, manufacturing, outdoor storage
Engineered to Recycle - Waste Not
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 8, 2023 12:35:24 PM
Listed below are some outstanding applications for recycled plastics. There are so many more to consider, but these piqued my interest. Commitments from industrial leaders to build products with recycled plastics help to create the market, generating incentive and adding value to industrial and consumer packaging produced with recycled materials.
Read MoreTopics: how to reduce packaging waste, sustainable packaging, plastics, recyclable
5 Recycling Problems that Industry Can Help Solve
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 8, 2023 12:34:32 PM
There is a well-intended drive in motion to eliminate single-use packaging, because the world is choking on trash and it’s only getting worse. A very large part of the problem is that developed nations are shipping their trash to developing nations, which necessarily are the least prepared to manage it. Too often in the process, trash spills into waterways leading to oceans, disrupting and entangling animal inhabitants, and presenting a health hazard for the residents of these developing nations. All of these factors and more create a mess that is most imperative to solve, and which is something that can be corrected with our help.
Read MoreTopics: how to reduce packaging waste, recyclable, protective packaging, environmental issues
Contamination in Manufacturing: Definitions
Posted by Joe Spitz on Jun 14, 2023 12:25:19 PM
“It is never possible to predict a physical occurrence with unlimited precision.” - Max Planck
Contamination of manufactured products is a broad-ranging subject. Let’s first review the definitions of “contamination” and, since even the definitions are topically wide, we’ve narrowed in to a couple that make sense for the manufacturing industry.
From Wikipedia: “Contamination is the presence of a constituent, impurity, or some other undesirable element that spoils, corrupts, infects, makes unfit, or makes inferior a material, physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc.
In environmental chemistry, the term "contamination" is in some cases virtually equivalent to pollution, where the main interest is the harm done on a large scale to humans, organisms, or environments."
"An environmental contaminant may be chemical in nature, though it may also be a biological (pathogenic bacteria, virus, invasive species) or physical (energy) agent."
That which damages humans will damage materials and products as well.
Astute engineers and businesses will also look at contamination from a legal perspective.
From Law Insider: “Contaminated Product means a product that contains a Prohibited Substance that is not disclosed on the product label or in information available in a reasonable internet search;
Contaminated Product means Product that has one or more of the following characteristics: (a) contains foreign substances not inherent or naturally occurring in Product; and/or (b) fails to meet Operator’s minimum specifications.”
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, manufacturers, quality