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Chiterion devoted to Customizing Eco Bag Solutions for Shopping, Packaging, Delivery, Storage and Travel Since 2007
Here are some ways to judge the material of cooler bags (refrigerator bags, insulation bags):
Check product labels and instructions
Most regular cooler bag products will come with labels or instructions, which will mark the material information used, such as "100% polyester fiber", "polylactic acid (PLA) biodegradable plastic", "bamboo fiber", "cotton and linen blend", etc. This is the most direct and accurate way to judge the material.
Judge by appearance and touch
Natural cotton and linen material:
Appearance: The surface generally shows the texture of natural fibers, with a certain roughness, unlike some synthetic materials that are smooth and flat, and the color is usually more natural and simple, without too bright or unreal colors. Looking closely, you may see some small gaps or nodes where cotton and linen fibers are interwoven.
Touch: When you touch it with your hands, you can feel that the texture is relatively soft and has a certain thickness. It feels comfortable and breathable. You won't feel stuffy or too cold in your hands, and it is more friendly when in contact with the skin.
Bamboo fiber material:
Appearance: It often has a more delicate texture and relatively elegant color. Some may have the natural color of bamboo itself, and the overall look is relatively refreshing. The surface is generally smooth, but compared with some plastic materials, its glossiness is still slightly weaker.
Touch: It feels soft and smooth, has a certain sense of lightness, feels cool to the touch, and usually gives people a dry feeling, without a sticky or rough touch.
Degradable plastic (such as polylactic acid, PLA, etc.) material:
Appearance: The surface is relatively smooth, and the color is uniform in most cases. Some may have a slight plastic texture, gloss, and look more regular. Some freezer bags made of degradable plastics may have similarities in appearance to traditional non-degradable plastics, but a closer look may reveal that their texture is slightly softer and not as stiff as traditional plastics.
Touch: It feels stiff and tough when touched by hand, but the feel of biodegradable plastics of different thicknesses may also be different. Thinner ones may be relatively softer, but generally speaking, they are stiffer than fabrics and are generally not very breathable. There is no feeling of air circulation when touched.
Recycled materials (such as recycled polyester fibers):
Appearance: It may have some similarities with virgin polyester fibers in appearance, with a relatively smooth surface and rich and varied colors. However, sometimes careful observation may reveal that the color uniformity is slightly lacking, or there are some very fine traces of impurity particles. This is because the source of its raw materials is relatively complex.
Touch: It feels similar to ordinary polyester fibers, relatively smooth, with a certain sense of stiffness and strength. It can be felt to have a certain elasticity when pulled by hand, but it is not easy to break easily, and it is not breathable.
Conduct a simple combustion test (careful operation)
Natural cotton and linen material:
Take a small piece of scraps (if any) for a combustion test. When burning, cotton and linen will emit a smell similar to burning paper. The flame is generally stable, the burning speed is relatively moderate, the ash is grayish white, and it will turn into powder with a light twist of the hand, and there will be no hard lumps left.
Bamboo fiber material:
When burning, there will be a smell similar to burning grass and wood, the flame is yellow, and there is a certain amount of black smoke. The amount of ash left after burning is relatively small, the color is mostly grayish white, the texture is relatively loose, and it is easy to turn into powder by rubbing with hands.
Degradable plastic (such as polylactic acid, PLA, etc.) material:
When burning, there will be a smell similar to burning candles, the flame is mostly yellow and accompanied by dripping, the burning speed is relatively slow, and the ash left after extinguishing is black and hard, but different degradable plastic components may be slightly different, and the specific performance will also be slightly different.
Recycled materials (such as recycled polyester fiber):
When burning, it emits a pungent smell, similar to the smell of burning plastic. The flame is bright, and the burning speed is fast. The ashes left after burning are black lumps, which are not easy to crush. They are similar to the characteristics of ordinary polyester fiber after burning.
It should be noted that the combustion test is dangerous. Improper operation may cause safety problems such as fire. Therefore, it is recommended to be carried out in an open, safe, and compliant place by professionals or under professional guidance. Try to judge the material by checking the label in front and observing the appearance and touch.
Reference price and brand information
Price:
Generally speaking, the price of cooler bags made of natural cotton and linen is usually at a medium level because the cost of raw materials is relatively low and the processing technology is relatively conventional; the price of cooler bags made of bamboo fiber may fluctuate due to factors such as the collection and processing of bamboo raw materials, but it is generally in a reasonable range; the price of degradable plastic materials, especially some products using advanced degradable technology, may be relatively high due to factors such as R&D and production costs; and the price of recycled materials will vary depending on the quality of the recycled materials, the complexity of processing, etc., and some may be relatively cheaper.
Brand information:
Well-known brands usually accurately indicate the material information in the product introduction, and the brand has its fixed material selection tendency and quality standards. For example, some brands that focus on environmental protection may use more natural fibers or degradable plastic materials. By understanding the brand positioning and past product characteristics, it can also assist in judging the material of the cooler bag.
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