Polypropylene Boxes Research Articles

Aloe vera gel coating maintains quality and safety of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils

Several postharvest treatments were performed on pomegranate arils prior to storage in rigid polypropylene boxes for 12 days at 3°C: water (control), ascorbic+citric acids (at 0.5 or 1%), Aloe vera gel (at 50 or 100%), 50% A. vera gel+0.5% ascorbic and 0.5% citric acid, and 100% A. vera gel+1% ascorbic and 1% citric acid. A. vera (alone or in combination with acids) led to lower CO2 and higher O2 concentrations inside the packages compared with arils treated with water (control). With respect to quality attributes, A. vera coatings led to firmness retention and increased levels of total anthocyanins and total phenolics. In addition, A. vera treatments led to significantly lower counts for both mesophilic aerobics and yeast and moulds. Sensory analysis scores for flavour, texture, aroma, colour and purchase decision were higher in arils treated with A. vera, especially in those arils treated with 100% A. vera+1% ascorbic and citric acids. Finally, no off-flavours in pomegranate arils were perceived by judges as a consequence of A. vera gel treatment.

The Effects of Calcium Chloride and 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the Shelf Life of Mulberries (Morus alba L.)

The mulberry (Morus alba L) is one of the most susceptible fruits and, therefore, the limited postharvest life of this fruit needs to be extended with regard to their consumption when desired. As a consequence, the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and their combination were assessed for postharvest fruit quality and shelf life of mulberries. Mulberries were harvested to maturity and then treated with 312.5 ppb of 1-MCP, CaCl2 (1% w/v) and CaCl2 (1% w/v) + 1-MCP (312.5 ppb) prior to storage in a polypropylene box at 4C for 5 days and 90% relative humidity (RH). Of the applied methods, CaCl2 treatment alone maintained the fruit color (L, a* and b*) value, ascorbic acid content, browning rate and microbial quality. 1-MCP treatment alone did not prevent the loss of ascorbic acid content, sensory quality, microbial load, and O2 decrease/CO2 increase in mulberries during the identical storage condition However, 1-MCP alone and the combination with CaCl2 treatment reduced the browning rate by maintaining the L color value. Nevertheless, 1-MCP and CaCl2 treatment revealed a better retention of a* and b* color value. Practical Applications 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment revealed well the effect on the physical properties of the fresh white mulberries. Throughout the study, it was observed that the treatment did not maintain the gas balance, some chemical and sensory qualities. In contrast to the findings for 1-MCP treatment, CaCl2 treatment alone preserved the quality parameters. The combination of 1-MCP and CaCl2 treatment revealed moderate level of preservation of the mulberries in concern. The present findings suggest that CaCl2 treatment alone sustain the fruit quality and can be used for fresh mulberries during their postharvest storage.

Desempenho zootécnico de girinos de rã-touro com diferentes níveis de proteína e energia digestíveis

A partir dos valores de digestibilidade de alguns ingredientes foram propostas dietas, com diferentes níveis de proteína e energia digestíveis, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, destinadas a girinos de rã-touro para avaliar o desempenho zootécnico. O experimento, com duração de 60 dias, foi conduzido com 810 girinos, oriundos da mesma desova, distribuídos em 27 caixas de polipropileno, em uma densidade de 1girino/L. O delineamento experimental foi um esquema fatorial com três níveis de proteína digestível (27; 31 e 35%) e três níveis de energia digestível (2.700; 2.800 e 2.900kcal/kg) com três réplicas. Os parâmetros avaliados aos 60 dias foram ganho de peso, consumo da dieta, consumo em proteína da dieta, conversão alimentar, taxa de eficiência proteica e índice de sobrevivência. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de Duncan (95% de precisão). Os resultados encontrados não apresentaram interação entre proteína e energia digestível para nenhum parâmetro avaliado. Em relação à proteína digestível, foram verificadas diferenças nos parâmetros consumo em proteína da dieta e taxa de eficiência proteica (TEP), o que demonstra ineficiência das dietas com altos valores proteicos. Deve-se oferecer aos girinos de rã-touro dietas com 27% de proteína digestível, por apresentarem melhor resultado para taxa de eficiência proteica e para consumo em proteína da dieta.

Development of Odour-Baited Flytraps for Sampling the African Latrine Fly, Chrysomya putoria, a Putative Vector of Enteric Diseases

African pit latrines produce prodigious numbers of the latrine fly, Chrysomya putoria, a putative vector of diarrhoeal pathogens. We set out to develop a simple, low-cost odour-baited trap for collecting C. putoria in the field. A series of field experiments was carried out in The Gambia to assess the catching-efficiency of different trap designs. The basic trap was a transparent 3L polypropylene box baited with 50 g of fish, with a white opaque lid with circular entrance holes. We tested variations of the number, diameter, position and shape of the entrance holes, the height of the trap above ground, degree of transparency of the box, its shape, volume, colour, and the attractiveness of gridded surfaces on or under the trap. Traps were rotated between positions on different sampling occasions using a Latin Square design. The optimal trapping features were incorporated into a final trap that was tested against commercially available traps. Features of the trap that increased the number of flies caught included: larger entrance holes (compared with smaller ones, p<0.001), using conical collars inside the holes (compared with without collars, p = 0.01), entrance holes on the top of the trap (compared with the side or bottom, p<0.001), traps placed on the ground (compared with above ground, p<0.001), the box having transparent sides (compared with being opaque, p<0.001), and with no wire grids nearby (compared with those with grids, p = 0.03). This trap collected similar numbers of C. putoria to other common traps for blow flies. The optimum trap design was a transparent box, with a white plastic lid on top, perforated with 10 conical entrance holes, placed on the ground. Our simple trap provides a cheap, low-maintenance and effective method of sampling C. putoria in the field.

É possível validar estatisticamente um dispositivo experimental com 10 ratos, de baixo custo, para pesquisa em tabagismo passivo?

INTRODUCAO: Pessoas nao tabagistas que convivem com a fumaca produzida por fumantes podem sofrer os danos causados por esta exposicao. Diversos estudos experimentais demonstraram os efeitos negativos do tabagismo, tanto ativo quanto passivo. A fim de simular a exposicao passiva a fumaca do cigarro em ratos, foi desenvolvido e validado um aparato (Braga-Gazzalle) simples, barato e de facil manutencao no Laboratorio de Habilidades Medicas e Pesquisa Cirurgica - PUCRS. METODO: O sistema de inalacao consiste em uma caixa de polipropileno de 40x33x17 cm, dividida em dois compartimentos por uma tela de metal: o maior para ratos e o menor para cigarros. Um ventilador gera um fluxo interno continuo de ar para que a fumaca produzida pela ponta acesa alcance os animais. Apos aprovacao no Comite de Etica, 5 ratos (Grupo A) foram expostos durante 2 horas diarias a fumaca, comparado ao grupo controle de 5 ratos (Grupo B). Apos exposicao de 4 semanas, dosou-se a carboxihemoglobina (CoHb) serica. Os animais foram entao sacrificados. A analise estatistica utilizada foi o teste t-Student, com 5% de significância. RESULTADOS: No Grupo A, a media dos percentuais de CoHb serica foi de 11,52 ± 4,40%, enquanto no Grupo B a media encontrada foi de 0,3 ± 0,2%. Os niveis de carboxihemoglobina observados no Grupo A foram muito maiores do que no Grupo B (p < 0,001). CONCLUSOES: O modelo experimental desenvolvido pelos autores provou que expoe adequadamente os animais a fumaca passiva. O aparato se mostrou confiavel, de facil manutencao e, sobretudo, de baixo custo operacional.

저온 저장 생배추를 이용하여 제조한 절임배추의 저장기간 중 품질 특성의 변화

Although the storage period of raw baechu cabbage could be 2 months at , 1 month was appropriate considering the quality of the baechu cabbage, waste ratio, and storage cost. The polyethylene container was the most efficient storage container among polypropylene box, polypropylene net and polyethylene container. pH of a brined baechu cabbage using raw baechu cabbage was 4.0~4.3 after 8 weeks and its total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria counts were cfu/g, and textural property (springiness) lower than 50% was at 8th week of storage at and thus its storage period was limited to 8 weeks. When brined baechu cabbage was prepared by raw baechu cabbage stored for 1 month at , its pH, microorganism counts and springiness showed similar trends to the brined cabbage using raw baechu stored for 0 month. However, its rates of change were faster than the brined baechu cabbage using the raw baechu, and the storage period was limited to 6 weeks. Brined baechu cabbage using the raw cabbage stored for 2 months and its storage period was limited by about 4 weeks judging by its indicated quality characteristics.

Efecto del remojo con ácido cítrico, ácido ascórbico y sorbato de potasio en la calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica de jaca mínimamente procesadaEffect of soaking conditions with citric acid, ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of minimally processed jackfruit

The effect of soaking conditions on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of jackfruit was evaluated. First, jackfruit pieces were disinfected by 10 min immersion in a solution of 150 mg/L of free chlorine; the jackfruit bulbs were disinfected by 5 min immersion in a solution of 150 mg/L of free chlorine. Then four lots of jackfruit bulbs were generated by immersion in the following aqueous solutions by 5 min: 1.5 g/L potassium sorbate (PS), 1.5 g/L PS, + 10 g/L citric acid (CA), 1.5 g/L PS + 10 g/L ascorbic acid (AA), and 1.5 g/L PS + 10 g/L CA + 10 g/L AA. Each lot was packed in polypropylene boxes and stored at 6 °C. At 12 days were observed significant (P < 0.05) changes on pH, titratable acidity and reducing sugars by effect of soaking solutions. The combined effect of PS, CA and AA influenced significantly (P < 0.05) on the best control of microbial counts. Se evaluó el efecto del remojo en la calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica de jaca. Las piezas de jaca se desinfectaron por 10 min de inmersión en una solución de 150 mg/L de cloro libre y los bulbos obtenidos del fruto se desinfectaron igualmente. Se generaron cuatro lotes por inmersión durante 5 min en las siguientes soluciones acuosas: 1,5 g/L sorbato de potasio (SK), 1,5 g/L SK + 10 g/L ácido cítrico (AC), 1,5 g/L SK + 10 g/L ácido ascórbico (AA) y 1,5 g/L SK + 10 g/L AC + 10 g/L AA. Cada lote fue empacado en cajas de polipropileno y almacenado a 6 °C. A los 12 días se observaron cambios significativos (P < 0,05) en pH, acidez titulable y azúcares reductores por efecto de las soluciones de remojo. El efecto combinado del SK, AC y AA influyó significativamente (P < 0,05) sobre el mejor control de las cuentas microbianas.

PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY INFLUENCE ON THE SHELF LIFE EXTENSION OF FRESH RASPBERRIES

Raspberries have been classified as a non-climacteric fruit - they have high physiological post-harvest activity, short ripening and a senescence period. The objective of this study was to examine the possibility of shelf life extension of primocane raspberry cultivar 'Polana' by packaging in different materials. The experiments were performed in the Latvia University of Agriculture Faculty of Food Technology, Jelgava and in the Latvia State Institute of Fruit Growing, Dobele during the year 2007. Contents of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, color in the L * a * b * measuring system, changes of moisture content and pH were analyzed during the storage period of three weeks. Oxygen and carbon dioxide dynamics in hermetic packages were analyzed by gas analyzer. The effect of packaging materials for shelf life extension was determined by using different packages: PP (polypropylene) trays inserted in pouches made from PLA (polylactic acid) films of different thickness 25 and 40 μm; cardboard boxes placed in PLA film pouches of different thickness 25 and 40. PP boxes manufactured with holes and cardboard boxes covered with net were used as control packaging in the experiments. The content of vitamin C rapidly increased during the first two days of storage in samples of all packaging materials but after four days ascorbic acid content started to decrease. The influence of packaging materials on the ascorbic acid content of raspberry samples was not significant. The anthocyanin content of all samples packaged in PLA material was quite stable during the whole storage time. The lowest weight losses were obtained in the PLA-40-PP sample (2.6%) although the other packaged samples did not exceed 5.2%. All samples placed in PLA (polylactic acid) film pouches by thickness 25 μm had optimal gasses composition (10 to 20% CO 2 and 5 to 10% O 2 ) for storage of primocane raspberry cultivar 'Polana'.

Evaluation of Protection for Plastic Containers Using Sprinkler Systems with 1.0% AFFF and Plain Water

Four large-scale fire tests were conducted to compare an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) agent against plain water for protection of an on-floor storage arrangement of a plastic container commonly used in automated and manual materials handling. The container used in these tests was a 600 mm × 400 mm × 280 mm open-top, double-wall, polypropylene box. These boxes were stored 4.5 m high under a 10.5 m ceiling. The protection design used fast-response 688C-temperature-rated K160 sprinklers discharging either 1.0% AFFF agent/water solution or plain water at a discharge density of 30 mm/minute. Initial test parameters, which included fuel and storage configuration, sprinkler system design (sprinkler type, temperature rating, actuation link sensitivity, spacing, and discharge pressure), ignition placement within the storage configuration and the relative positioning of the storage arrangement with respect to ceiling sprinklers were consistent for all tests. The testing procedure involved a format that used an initial test followed by a validation test under the same initial test conditions.

ENRAIZAMENTO DE ESTACAS CAULINARES DE KUDZU

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi) é uma leguminosa semilenhosa, de hábito rasteiro, originária do leste e sudeste asiático, utilizada para alimentação animal; adubação verde; para fins medicinais e culinários; na indústria de papel e tecidos, podendo ainda ser destinada à recuperação de áreas degradadas. Como sua propagação sexuada é dificultada pelo escasso florescimento e pela baixa produção de sementes, a propagação vegetativa pode ser uma alternativa para a produção de mudas dessa espécie. Durante 2003 foram realizados trabalhos na Embrapa Florestas, em Colombo - PR, visando a macropropagação de kudzu, com estacas de 12 cm de comprimento, 0,7 cm de diâmetro, sem folhas e com uma gema na porção apical, coletadas nas quatro estações do ano. Como tratamento fitossanitário prévio, as estacas foram imersas em solução de hipoclorito de sódio a 0,5%, por 5 minutos, e em benomyl (0,5 g L-1) por 15 minutos. As bases das estacas foram tratadas com 0, 500, 1000 e 1500 mg L-1 de ácido indolbutírico (AIB), depois plantadas em tubetes de polipropileno com vermiculita como substrato e mantidas em casa-de-vegetação com nebulização intermitente por 30 dias. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 4 tratamentos, 4 repetições de 24 estacas por parcela, totalizando 384 estacas por estação. As melhores porcentagens de enraizamento foram detectadas com 1000 mg L-1 (61,46%) e 1500 mg L-1 AIB (73,96%), no verão, e 1500 mg L-1 AIB (64,06%) na primavera. O uso do AIB foi efetivo no enraizamento de estacas de Kudzu, em qualquer estação, exceto inverno.

Assessment of weld line performance of PP/Talc moldings produced in hot runner injection molds

AbstractWeld lines are weak regions in thermoplastic injection moldings caused by low molecular entanglement and unfavorable orientation. Their occurrence may lead to a significantly reduced mechanical performance of the products. Therefore, when weld lines are likely to occur in molded products, they must be taken into account during the mechanical and technological design processes. The weld lines become more critical when particulate fillers are compounded with the polymer. The performance of weld lines in talc‐filled polypropylene box moldings produced with a double‐gated hot runner mold is assessed in this work. The processing conditions were varied in order to cause morphology and tensile‐impact resistance changes. The weld performance at room temperature was assessed in terms of the energy absorbed in the impact tests. It was found that the performance depends on the injection temperature, the injection rate, and the orientation of the talc particles in the weld‐line plane. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:159–165, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers

Charging of mm-size insulating particles in vibratory devices

The aim of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the factors that influence the efficiency of the vibratory devices employed for triboelectrostatic separation application. The experiments were carried out on mm-size disk-like polyamide particles introduced in polypropylene boxes that were subjected to rigorously controlled vibrations. The charge imparted by friction and impact was found to be significantly influenced by the characteristics of the vibratory movements, the residence time of the particles in the tribocharging device, and the number of particle–wall collisions.

Effect of MAP with argon and nitrous oxide on quality maintenance of minimally processed kiwifruit

The shelf-life of minimally processed (MP) kiwifruit is principally limited by softening and colour degradation, caused by increased enzymatic activities as a consequence of wounding. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with non-conventional gas mixtures was tested on the maintenance of some physico-chemical characteristics of MP kiwifruit slices, during refrigerated storage. Kiwifruit slices were sealed in polypropylene boxes that were stored in air (control) and in three different modified atmospheres: N2 (90%), O2 (5%), CO2 (5%); Ar (90%), O2 (5%), CO2 (5%) and N2O (90%), O2 (5%), CO2 (5%). The packed kiwifruit samples were stored at 4 °C for 12 days and the following quality parameters were monitored during storage: soluble solids content, weight loss, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the package headspace, texture changes and surface colour by a reflectance colorimeter (lightness, hue angle and chroma) and by image analysis (percentage of browning area). MA with 90% of N2O was the best mixture of tested gases in order to maintain the quality of kiwifruit slices. The initial firmness value of kiwifruit slices (about 13 N) decreased only by 10% after 8 days in the sample packed in N2O, while about 70% firmness loss was detected in the control sample after just 4 days of refrigerated storage. Kiwifruit slices in N2O also maintained a better initial colour, in particular in terms of L* and hue. Moreover, the use of image analysis showed less browning in both the pericarp and core surfaces of the samples in N2O, compared to the control. Correlation analysis between texture and all colour results showed that the application of an image analysis technique allowed a good recognition of chromatic changes related to fruit softening. Score plots of principal component analysis (PCA) showed slight modifications in the most important discriminated quality factors for the sample in N2O, a rapid quality loss for samples in air and in N2 and an acceptable quality maintenance until the 8th day of storage for the sample in Ar.

Storability of Amaranthus leafy vegetable in different vegetable boxes

AbstractFresh Amaranthus sp. leafy vegetable was stored in cane boxes lined with polyethylene or woven polypropylene or unlined boxes, all covered with moist jute. Open‐air storage on laboratory benches was the control. The vegetable in boxes stored well for 3 days without loss of acceptability, but discolouration and rotting were obvious by the sixth day. The leaves stored in open air were of moderate quality within a day and unacceptable. Returns from using the boxes were N79‐80 per day, compared to rental cost of N20‐21.4 per day. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd

Farelo de canola para juvenis de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), linhagem Chitralada

This work evaluated the inclusion of several levels of canola meal in ration used in the development and carcass compositions of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.), Chitralada strain. Were used 15 polypropylene boxes, with 310 liters (10 fish each). The fish were fed with five isonitrogenous (28%) and isocaloric ration (2900 Kcal EM/kg), twice a day for six months. The canola meal was used in four levels (TT = 0%, T1 = 8%, T2 = 16%, T3 = 24% and T4 = 32% / diet), in a completely randomized design, with 5 treatments and three repetitions each. The data obtained were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA) and the averages compared by the Tukey test (p0,1) on fishes body composition, however had best body weight gain with canola meal on levels 16% and 24%. These values seem to show that for the Nile Tilapia, Chilatrada strain, the use of canola meal is viable when included in up to 24% of the diet, without any performance loss.

Evaluation of physico-chemical parameters of minimally processed apples packed in non-conventional modified atmosphere

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with non-conventional gas mixtures in combination with non-sulphite dipping was tested during refrigerated storage on minimally processed (MP) apple slices for the physico-chemical characteristics. `Golden Delicious' apple slices were dipped in an aqueous solution of 0.5% of ascorbic acid (AA), 0.5% of citric acid (CA), and 0.5% of calcium chloride (CC) to slow down the enzymatic browning. Apple slices were sealed in polypropylene boxes and conditioned in air (control) and in three different modified atmospheres (MAs) composed of 90% N 2, 5% O 2, 5% CO 2 (A), 90% N 2O, 5% O 2, 5% CO 2 (B) or 65% N 2O, 25% Ar, 5% O 2, 5% CO 2 (C). The packed apple samples were stored at 4 °C for 12 days and pH, soluble solids content, weight loss, CO 2 production, O 2 consumption, texture changes, surface colour (whitening index, hue angle and chroma) and percentage of browning area were monitored. Beneficial effects of B and C MAP were found on enzymatic browning together with an increase of initial firmness and total soluble solid content. Atmospheres with high argon and nitrous oxide levels are shown some beneficial effect on the product quality during the 10 days period of storage, compared to control.

An Outbreak of Needlestick Injuries in Hospital Employees Due to Needles Piercing Infectious Waste Containers

To investigate the cause of an outbreak of needlestick injuries (NSIs) in hospital employees. A 700-bed university hospital. Outbreak investigation, laboratory evaluation of a medical waste disposal device, cost analysis. Employee health department records were reviewed of workers suffering sticks from needles piercing fiberboard-contaminated material containers (CMCs). A laboratory evaluation of needle-puncture resistance properties of the CMCs was performed using a testing apparatus. The cost of a hospital waste disposal program using fiberboard CMCs was compared with the cost of a program using rigid plastic (polypropylene) boxes. During 40 months of surveillance in 1986 and from 1989 to 1991, only one NSI had occurred from a needle piercing a CMC. During 9 months in 1993, 13 NSIs occurred due to needles piercing CMCs (P < .001). No clinical illness resulted from the NSIs. The outbreak was halted by a temporary change to plastic (polypropylene) boxes for sharps disposal ($4.92 to $23.33/cu ft) until receipt of a box with a newly designed solid fiberboard liner ($1.25/cu ft). CMC liners used during the epidemic had a mean needle puncture resistance of 527 g, as compared with 660 g for liners used before the outbreak (P < .001). The new solid fiberboard liner has a mean puncture resistance of 1,765 g. A program of waste disposal using fiberboard CMCs was found to cost approximately one-seventh the cost of a program using plastic boxes for disposal of infectious waste. A program for infectious waste disposal using fiberboard CMCs can be safe and cost-effective if appropriate standards for puncture resistance are met.

An Outbreak of Needlestick Injuries in Hospital Employees Due to Needles Piercing Infectious Waste Containers

To investigate the cause of an outbreak of needlestick injuries (NSIs) in hospital employees.A 700-bed university hospital.Outbreak investigation, laboratory evaluation of a medical waste disposal device, cost analysis.Employee health department records were reviewed of workers suffering sticks from needles piercing fiberboard-contaminated material containers (CMCs). A laboratory evaluation of needle-puncture resistance properties of the CMCs was performed using a testing apparatus. The cost of a hospital waste disposal program using fiberboard CMCs was compared with the cost of a program using rigid plastic (polypropylene) boxes.During 40 months of surveillance in 1986 and from 1989 to 1991, only one NSI had occurred from a needle piercing a CMC. During 9 months in 1993, 13 NSIs occurred due to needles piercing CMCs (P < .001). No clinical illness resulted from the NSIs. The outbreak was halted by a temporary change to plastic (polypropylene) boxes for sharps disposal ($4.92 to $23.33/cu ft) until receipt of a box with a newly designed solid fiberboard liner ($1.25/cu ft). CMC liners used during the epidemic had a mean needle puncture resistance of 527 g, as compared with 660 g for liners used before the outbreak (P < .001). The new solid fiberboard liner has a mean puncture resistance of 1,765 g. A program of waste disposal using fiberboard CMCs was found to cost approximately one-seventh the cost of a program using plastic boxes for disposal of infectious waste.A program for infectious waste disposal using fiberboard CMCs can be safe and cost-effective if appropriate standards for puncture resistance are met.

Fluorine‐Induced corrosion of aluminium microchip bond pads: An XPS and AES analysis

AbstractX‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to study the influence of fluorine contamination on aluminium microchip bond pads. Sputter depth profiles indicated that the oxide layer thickness on those band pads, which showed poor gold wire adhesion, was higher than the thickness of the native oxide layer of aluminium. This corrosion was induced by segregation of fluorine into the bulk during storage of the wafers in closed polypropylene boxes. The contamination was found to be of the Al(OF)x type, which was initially formed in the CF4/O2 plasma‐etching process. On test samples of aluminium metallization that have been stored with the process wafers, the fluorine contamination was located on the surface only. No segregation and no further oxidation occurred. In this case the fluorine contamination is of the AlFx type.