Why are some plastic bottles thicker than other? Surely the amount of plastic being user to mold a bottle is highly controlled
In: Engineering
A bottle, like any other item, is designed for a specific use and they will be adapted to it. Things that will affect the shape are:
– polymer type: different materials have different needs and may need to be more of less thick
– content: depending on acidity, light sensitivity, human consumption… the bottle material and shape may vary
-pressure: internal pressure (ie. carbonated drinks) require a sturdier bottle, that’s why coke bottle are thicker than water bottle
-cost: thicker bottles mean more material so higher production costs, manufacturers may want to use less material and/or different shapes that increase structural integrity
-appeal: the shape, size and feel of bottle depends a lot on who they are targetted to. Some people way feel that flimsy bottles look cheap and go towards better looking bottles, Fiji water for instance.
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