Plating of TOSS Alloy-20®
Impulse Heat Seal Bands

Plated impulse heat seal bands are subjected to both physical and thermal stresses caused by the repeated heating and cooling of the band and attendant expansion and contraction. This condition is exaggerated at or near the ends of the bands.

The "effective" portion of the band (the portion that is in contact with the work piece), will have heat drawn away by virtue of its contact with the relatively cool work piece. Conversely, the portion of the band that is not in contact with the work piece will tend to overheat. If the heatseal band creates a gap between the end of the Jaw Bar and the Jaw End Block, a small portion of the band will get very overheated.

This is a very common occurrence in bands that are not protected by the addition of a copper-plated heat sink at and near the ends of the band. Band breakage most commonly occurs near the end of the band.

Impulse heat seal band replacement and the machine operator’s down time can be substantially reduced by adding copper plating to the end of the band. Further, operating efficiency and band life can be prolonged by adding additional copper on the band that extends at least 0.25" into the "effective" portion of the band.