Buying guide for Plastic Bakery Trays
Silicone Bakery Trays
Traditionally, plastic was not a typical material used to make Bakery Trays but with the vast improvements on plastic’s durability and heat resistance, it became one of the most widely used materials. The families of plastics that are now being used for baking include thermoset plastic, thermoplastic and silicone. Silicone Bakery Trays are new products in the market but although they are less rigid than metal, they are surprisingly durable and able to withstand oven temperatures of up to 450 degrees. Silicone Bakery Trays that are available in the market today are colorful, flexible, microwavable and easy to clean. One drawback of silicone Bakery Trays is its vulnerability to sharp knives and other objects that can easily pierce the material.
Thermoset Plastic Bakery Trays
Thermoset plastics have high heat resistance and can be used from the freezer to the microwave or conventional oven. One of the better examples of thermoset plastic is FRP or fiberglass reinforced polyester. FRP is a composite material consisting of plastic resin matrix, glass fiber reinforcement and other additives. The advantages of FRP include:
- Corrosion resistance, strength in spite of being light in weight and maintenance free
- When the molded-in surface coat contains color, it is resistant to UV rays and airborne contaminants
- It possesses excellent weather, heat, chemical and fire resistance
- Its finished shape can be curved, corrugated, ribbed or contoured
- It weights more or less two pounds per square feet of surface area and is considered as among the strongest commercial materials in the market for the manufacture of Bakery Trays. Pound for pound, FRP is stronger than steel or aluminum
Thermoplastic Bakery Trays
Thermoplastic Bakery Trays have relatively the same characteristics with those made from thermoset plastics. Plastic ovenware can be used from the freezer to the microwave or oven. Due to its special composition, thermoplastic Bakery Trays are lightweight, impact resistant and dishwasher friendly. Some of the more common thermoplastic materials include:
- Polymethylpentene or TPX – is a lightweight polymer with superb clarity, transparency and heat and chemical resistance.
- Polycarbonate – is an amorphous thermoplastic material with high impact strength, high modulus of elasticity and good dimensional stability.
- Polysulfone – belongs to the family of thermoplastics and is known for its characteristics of toughness and stability at high temperatures.
Before using any of these plastic Bakery Trays make sure to read labels and booklets for special instructions for their use and care.