What are the differences between the common materials used for empty lip gloss tubes (AS, ABS, PETG), and which one has the strongest corrosion resistance?

In the field of cosmetic packaging, choosing the right material for empty lip gloss tubes is crucial to product success. The most common materials on the market are AS, ABS, and PETG. Simply put, PETG has the strongest corrosion resistance and excellent chemical stability, making it suitable for lip oil formulas containing a high proportion of fragrances or active ingredients; AS offers high transparency and hardness, but slightly less toughness; while ABS is the preferred choice for solid-colored tube shells due to its excellent colorability and processing performance.

As a professional manufacturer of empty lip gloss tubes, a deep understanding of the characteristics of these materials can help brands avoid quality pitfalls such as leakage and cracking during packaging procurement. The following is an in-depth comparative analysis of these three materials:

1. AS Material: The first choice for high transparency

AS (Acrylonitrile-Styrene Resin) is one of the most commonly used transparent materials for empty lip gloss tubes.

Visual effect: It has very high transparency, with a slightly yellowish base color, which perfectly showcases the color of the lip gloss itself.

Physical properties: High hardness and good scratch resistance.

Disadvantages: Relatively low toughness; long-term contact with certain solvents in the formula may cause stress cracking.

Applicable scenarios: Mid-to-high-end lip gloss products that require a crystal-clear visual effect.

2. ABS Material: The "all-rounder" for appearance customization

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer) is widely used in the caps and solid-colored bodies of empty lip gloss tubes.

Processing performance: Extremely easy to spray, electroplate, and screen print. If you need a metallic-looking cap or a matte-finished tube body, ABS is the best base material.

Physical properties: Excellent toughness, drop and impact resistance; not only easy to process but also relatively cost-effective.

Disadvantages: Cannot achieve complete transparency; usually used for opaque or translucent packaging.

Applicable scenarios: Brand customized products with high requirements for appearance processes (such as electroplating and laser engraving).

3. PETG Material: The Benchmark for Corrosion Resistance and Environmental Friendliness

If you are looking for the most corrosion-resistant empty lip gloss tubes, PETG (polyethylene terephthalate-1,4- cyclohexanedimethanol ester) is the ideal choice.

Chemical Stability: It has strong resistance to oils, fragrances, and chemical components in makeup formulations, effectively preventing packaging embrittlement or discoloration.

Safety: Complies with food contact grade requirements and is BPA-free, making it a favorite among clean beauty brands.

Appearance: Transparency is close to glass, with a substantial feel.

Applicable Scenarios: High-end lip oils, lip glosses containing active ingredients, and high-demand products for export to European and American markets.

Manufacturer's Advice: How to choose the right empty lip gloss tube?

When choosing empty lip gloss tubes, don't just consider the price. We advise brands to:

Compatibility Testing: Before mass production, be sure to fill your formula into sample tubes of different materials and conduct at least 4-8 weeks of high and low-temperature cycle testing.

Choose the material based on the formula: If the formula has a high essential oil content, be sure to specify PETG material to ensure the packaging does not leak or crack.

Consider logistics damage: For long-distance international trade shipments, the drop resistance of ABS or PETG can effectively reduce breakage rates.

As an empty lip gloss tube supplier with many years of experience in the industry, we provide a one-stop solution from mold development to material selection. If you are unsure which material is best suited for your new formula, please feel free to consult our technical team.