Preform Design for PET Bottles

How to optimize preform design and minimize PET resin consumption is always
challenging to every bottle maker to obtain quality PET bottles.

Biaxial Stretch Ratio

The Desirable Biaxial Stretch Ratio is around 8

Each direction of X and Y stretch ratio is about 2.83 (R = X x Y)

Length of Preform

Preform length can be decided based on bottle height (minus neck where no stretch is
made) divided by 2.83 (l = L / Y)

Diameter of preform

The preform diameter is the bottle diameter divided by 2.83 (d = D / X)

The Thickness of Preform Wall

The preform wall thickness is bottle wall thickness times biaxial stretch ratio
( w = W x R).

For example, if the desired bottle wall thickness is 0.5mm, height is 300mm excluding
neck, diameter is 95mm

Wall thickness of the preform will be around 0.5x8=4mm, (w = W x R);

Length of the preform will be around 300/2.83=106mm, (l = L / Y);

Diameter of the preform will be around 95/2.83=33.5mm, (d = D / X).

R is biaxial stretch ratio, X and Y stands for stretch ratio of each direction.

L is bottle height excluding neck, l is preform length excluding neck.

D is bottle diameter, d is preform diameter.

W is the wall thickness of bottle, w is the wall thickness of preform.

* Above data is obtained from our experiences and observations and it is for reference
only for designing most drink bottles with narrow neck finishes. For the preforms of wide
neck jars, however, the possibility of processing seems more important than the stretch
ratio when we design preforms. Welcome viewers to send us comments for improving
preform design.

Neck Designs
Neck design is also important to reduce cost as well as to save non-renewable resources.
Remember savings on both preforms and caps (or closures) by selecting right necks!
Compare neck designs below may assist your choices.

Threads Weight Applications

Carbonated
28 PCO 1810 Beverages
Cola type
Single Start 5.1g drinks
Lemonades
Thread turn 720 Other soft
drinks
Carbonated
Beverages
28 PCO 1881 Short Bottles
Single Start Cola type
3.8g
drinks
Thread turn 650 Lemonades
Other soft
drinks
Carbonated
28 BPF-C Beverages
Cola type
Single start 6.1g drinks
Lemonades
Thread turn 720 Other soft
drinks
Carbonated
Beverages
28 Alcoa 1716
Cola type
5.9g drinks
Single Start
Lemonades
Thread turn
Other soft
drinks
 Carbonated
28 PCO Corvaglia Beverages
Cola type
Single start 3.6g drinks
Lemonades
Thread turn 744 Other soft
drinks
26.75 Alaska Juice
RTD tea
3 start 3.6g Energy drinks
Spring water
Thread turn 120 Mineral water
30/25 low
Juice
RTD tea
3 start 3.7g
Energy drinks
Still water
turn 120
30/25 high Juice
RTD tea
3 start 3.9g Energy drinks
Spring water
Thread turn 120 Mineral water
Juice
Milk
Still beverage
38 HF Bericap drinks

2 start 7.0g Still water

Dairy products
Thread turn 180
RTD tea

Energy drinks
Juice
Milk
Still beverage
38 CF Bericap drinks

3 start 4.3g Still water

Dairy products
Thread turn 120
RTD tea

Energy drinks
 25 ROPP

Single 2.8g Pharmaceutical
bottles
Thread turn 720

28 ROPP

3.7g Pharmaceutical
Single
bottles
Thread turn 720

More preform neck designs for different applications are available in the market.