Drinkware Materials Guide

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The Complete Guide to Drinkware Materials: Everything You Need to Know

In a world where sustainability, style and functionality converge, the realm of drinkware and tumblers is at the forefront of innovation. As we embark on a journey to explore the myriad materials that shape these essential everyday companions, we delve into the art and science of creating vessels that not only quench our thirst, but also reflect our individuality.
 
Join us in this comprehensive guide as we navigate the diverse landscape of materials that make up our favourite water bottles, coffee mugs and thermoses. From the timeless appeal of stainless steel to the eco-friendly embrace of recycled ocean plastic, each material has its own story to tell. We’ll unravel the pros and cons, reveal the sustainability factors and explore the unique characteristics that define these drinkware essentials.
 
Whether you’re a consumer looking for the perfect vessel to suit your lifestyle or a designer searching for the ideal material for your next creation, this guide is your compass. So let’s embark on this journey together and satisfy our curiosity about the materials that shape the world of drinkware.

Main material list for the production of drinkware and tableware

Water bottle/drinking cup/tumbler/cup/vacuum flask/lunch box/bowl have a long list of materials available, ranging from stainless steel, titanium and other metals, plastics (PP, AS, Tritan) to wheat straw, sugar cane straw, recycled marine plastics and more.

Classification of Materials Advantages Disadvantages FDA Compliant BPA Free Applications for Drink Bottle / Flask / Tumbler / Cup / Mug / Jug / Container Material Cost
Aluminum Al • Aluminium is a lightweight choice.
• Aluminium is a cheaper alternative to stainless steel.
• Aluminium is 100% recyclable and endlessly recyclable.		 • Aluminium is a reactive metal that can be toxic to people.
• Not dishwasher safe.
• May dent when dropped – not as durable as stainless steel water bottles.
• Heat retention is not as good as insulated stainless steel bottles.		 No Yes Single layer sports water bottle Low
Stainless Steel SS201(Stainless Steel 18-1, Japan JIS: SUS201, USA AISI: 201) • Easy to shape;
• Easy to be welded;
• Durable;
• Cheapest type of stainless steel		 • Metal ions will be precipitated when heated, which is harmful to health;
• Low corrosion-resistant;
• Easy to crack		 No Yes Outer wall of double-walled container / vessel,Most cheap 304 water bottles actually have 201 outer surfaces. Low
SS304(Stainless Steel 18-8, Japan JIS: SUS304, USA AISI: 304) • Food grade material;
• High tensile strength;
• Good weldability;
• Good formability;
• Good corrosion resistant;
• Highly durable and can last for years if they’re well taken care of.
• Low thermal conductivity and good thermal insulation		 • Poor sulfur resistance;
• Poor reduction resistance; • Difficult to process
• Expensive		 Yes Yes Both inner wall and outer wall of double-walled kitchen food grade drinkware/container/vessel, bottle cap, handle Middle
SS316(Stainless Steel 18-10, Japan JIS: SUS316, USA AISI: 316) •Medical grade material; •Excellent heat resistance, acid resistance and alkali corrosion resistance;
•Good weldability;
•Good formability;
•Excellent corrosion resistant;
•The best stainless steel material available today
•Less Durable than SUS304		 •Poor sulfur resistance; •Poor reduction resistance
•More expensive than 304		 Yes Yes Both inner wall and outer wall of double-walled food grade drinkware/container/vessel, bottle cap, handle; Container for medical equipment; Medical grade container High
Titanium Ti-6Al-4VEli •High strength,It’s among the strongest and most durable metals on the planet,
•Titanium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance in harsh environments;
•Good bio-compatibility;
•Low density;
•Light weight		 •Difficulty of casting. Unlike iron and aluminum, titanium can not be easily cast
•Pure titanium cannot be heat treated		 Yes Yes Medical equipment / implants; Drinkware; Food container; Beverage vessel Very High
Plastic Polypropylene (PP) •High strength plastic resin, •extremely high resistance to heat, moisture, and chemicals •Low surface energy, difficult to print
•Pre-treatment is required before printing to improve ink adhesion		 Yes Yes Lid; Cap; Cover; Plastic bottle/tumbler Low
Wheat Straw Plastic (A composite of polypropylene and wheat straw) •Environmental protection and safety
•Reduce plastic use and reduce carbon emissions
•Lightweight and durable		 •Not completely biodegradable
•Low surface energy, difficult to print		 Yes Yes Plate and Bowls Sets Low
Coffee Plastic (A composite of polypropylene and coffee grounds) •Environmental protection and safety
•Reduce plastic use and reduce carbon emissions
•Lightweight and durable
•Has the smell of coffee		 •Not completely biodegradable
•Low surface energy, difficult to print		 Yes Yes coffee cupmugtumbler Low
Acrylonitrile-Styrene (AS) •Solvent resistance;
•High Strength		 •Insufficient toughness;
•May gradually turn yellow after prolonged use		 Yes Yes Lid; Cap; Cover Low
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) •Good mechanical and thermal properties;
•High hardness;
•Easy metal plating on the surface;
•Fatigue resistance and stress cracking resistance; •High impact strength; Chemical corrosion resistance such as acid and alkali;
•Easy to process and form		 •Poor weather resistance; •Not UV resistant;
•Easy to age under hot oxygen conditions;
•Poor dissolution resistance		 Yes Yes Parts with hardness and wear resistance requirements such as buttons and gears of the cup lid/lid/cover Low
Polyoxymethylene (POM) •High tensile strength; •Fatigue resistance;
•Creep resistance;
•Less water absorption; •Good dielectric properties; •Normal use at 120 °C; •Small friction coefficient; •Excellent elasticity		 •No self-extinguishing;
•High molding shrinkage		 Yes Yes Parts with hardness and wear resistance requirements such as buttons and gears of the cup lid/lid/cover Low
Acrylic(PMMA) •Good toughness;
•Not easy to break		 •Not wear-resistant, easy to scratch on its surface;
•Can not contact with organic solvents, such as alcohol will make acrylic sticky		 Yes Yes Plastic bottle/tumbler/cup Middle
ThermoplasticElastomer (TPE) •Environmentally friendly; •Wide range of hardness; •Excellent colorability;
•Soft touch; •Weather resistance, fatigue resistance and temperature resistance;
•No vulcanization;
•Can be covered and bonded with base materials such as PP, PE, PC, PS, ABS, etc.		 •Poor heat resistance; •Physical properties decrease greatly as temperature rises;
•Easy to deform under pressure;
•Poor resilience and durability		 Yes Yes Sealing gasket; O ring; Overmolding for lid handle part Middle
Polycarbonate (PC) High impact strength; Good creep resistance; Good heat resistance; Low embrittlement temperature (-130℃); High transparency; Good dielectric properties; Good dimensional stability Contains BPA; Poor solvent resistance; Easy to crack; Easy to hydrolyze when immersed in boiling water for a long time; Poor fatigue strength No No Functional part on bottle/tumbler/flask/cup/container and its cover & lid Middle
TRITAN (PCTG) Good transparency; Strong impact strength; Hydrolysis resistance; High temperature resistance; Easy processing; Good toughness; Chemical resistance It will be deformed at high temperature. Deformation and cracking may occur when the temperature exceeds 94 degrees Celsius Yes Yes Bottle/flask/mug/cup/container/vessel jug and its cap, cover & lid High
PPSU •High hydrolytic stability; •High transparency;
•High temperature resistance up to 207℃; Milk bottles/cups made of PPSU can be repeatedly boiled, microwaved, and steam sterilized;
•Chemical stability is good; •Easy to clean		 Raw materials are expensive Yes Yes baby water bottle/tumbler/cup/flask/jug/container Very High
Recycled Ocean Plastic(RPET) •Conducive to reducing marine environmental pollution •High MOQ;
•Processing technology is complex and difficult		 Yes Yes Bottle and its cap, cover & lid Very High
Silicone Solid Silicone •High temperature •resistance;
•Cold resistance;
•Solvent resistance;
•Anti-sticking;
•Electrical insulation; •Chemical resistance;
•Good elasticity		 •Vulcanizing agent needs to be added during molding to shorten molding time Yes Yes Gasket; Anti-slip footer; Band; Strap; Collapsible Water Bottle Middle
Liquid Silicone •High and low temperature •stability; Odorless; •Transparent; Wide hardness range;
• Chemical resistance; •Weather resistance; •Excellent sealing performance;
•Great elasticity		 •High mold tooling cost Yes Yes Straw; Nipple; Collapsible Water Bottle; Medical part/equipment High
Glass Borosilicate glass •Low Cost
•Good transparency
•Ease of Shaping		 •Poor Thermal Stability,It is susceptible to melting or breaking at high temperatures, Yes Yes Only suitable for cups and containers containing room temperature water Low
Soda-lime glass •Excellent Thermal •Stability
•Chemical Resistance
•High Mechanical •Strength
•Low Thermal Expansion		 •Higher Manufacturing Cost Yes Yes Wide range of uses, teacups, lunch boxes, plates, Middle
Ceramics Porcelain •upscale look
•extremely durable and nonporous
•translucent appearance
•thinner and more •delicately		 High Cost Yes Yes Salad Pasta Bowls,Butter Keeper Crock,Coffee Mugs Middle
Earthenware Pottery •heavy, and rustic look and feel
•Low Cost		 Earthenware is often porous, which means it could stain or absorb liquid, so you do need to avoid leaving it submerged in water. Yes Yes some retro mugs Low
Bone china •Very lightweight, delicate in feel,
•Translucent with a milky appearance.
•Rugged and durable
•upscale		 High Cost Yes Yes High-end tableware and drinkware Very High
Stoneware Another type of fired ceramic dinnerware, stoneware is a little more durable than earthenware Thicker and heavy Yes Yes Most good-quality stoneware is very versatile to use and easy to maintain. Low

If you have any questions, our materials experts will be happy to answer them.

F.A.Q.

  • Food-contact safe
  • FDA compliant
  • LFGB compliant
  • California Proposition 65 compliant
  • BPA free
  • Toxic free

The best material for water bottles depends on your specific needs and preferences. Several materials are commonly used for water bottles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most popular materials and their characteristics:

  1. Stainless Steel:

    • Advantages: Durable, resistant to rust and corrosion, retains temperature (hot or cold) well, and often comes in sleek designs.
    • Disadvantages: Can be heavier than other materials, may dent if dropped, and not see-through.

  2. BPA-Free Plastic:

    • Advantages: Lightweight, affordable, and available in various shapes and sizes. BPA-free plastics are considered safe for drinking.
    • Disadvantages: Some people have concerns about the environmental impact of plastic and potential chemical leaching over time.

  3. Glass:

    • Advantages: Environmentally friendly, does not impart or retain flavors, easy to clean, and see-through.
    • Disadvantages: Fragile and may break if dropped, making it less suitable for outdoor activities.

  4. Aluminum:

    • Advantages: Lightweight, recyclable, and often used for sports and outdoor water bottles. Can have insulated versions for temperature retention.
    • Disadvantages: May have a metallic taste, can dent if dropped, and may not keep beverages as hot or cold for as long as stainless steel.

  5. Copper:

    • Advantages: Known for its natural antimicrobial properties and aesthetic appeal.
    • Disadvantages: Requires regular cleaning, can develop a patina over time, and may not be as widely available as other materials.

  6. Titanium:

    • Advantages: Extremely lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant.
    • Disadvantages: Expensive, may have a metallic taste, and less common than other materials.

The “best” material depends on factors such as your intended use (e.g., sports, everyday use, outdoor adventures), preferences (e.g., weight, insulation, style), and any specific concerns (e.g., environmental impact, health considerations). Consider these factors when choosing the material that suits your needs and values the most.

Whether you can wash a water bottle in the dishwasher depends on the material of the bottle. Here are some general guidelines for common water bottle materials:

  1. Stainless Steel: Most stainless steel water bottles are dishwasher safe. However,, you can place the bottle and its lid on the top rack of the dishwasher.Some printing methods may have a risk of falling off

  2. BPA-Free Plastic: Many BPA-free plastic water bottles are labeled as dishwasher safe. Again, it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most plastic bottles should be placed on the top rack to avoid exposure to high heat, which can cause warping.

  3. Glass: Glass water bottles are generally dishwasher safe. Make sure the bottle is placed securely on the top rack, and avoid using very hot water in the dishwasher, as extreme temperature changes can cause glass to break.

  4. Aluminum: Aluminum water bottles may or may not be dishwasher safe. Some aluminum bottles have a special lining or coating that could be affected by the heat and detergents used in dishwashers.

Yes, you can typically fill your water bottle with fizzy drinks or fruit juice, but there are a few things to consider:

  1. Material Compatibility: Ensure that your water bottle is made of a material that is suitable for holding carbonated beverages or acidic fruit juices. Stainless steel, glass, and some types of plastic are generally safe for these liquids. However, some plastics may absorb flavors and odors, so it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific bottle.

  2. Cleaning: After using your water bottle for fizzy drinks or fruit juice, make sure to clean it thoroughly to prevent residue buildup and odors. Some bottles have narrow openings or components that can be challenging to clean, so consider a bottle with a design that facilitates easy cleaning.

  3. Pressure: Carbonated beverages can create pressure inside the bottle due to the carbonation. Make sure the bottle is designed to handle this pressure safely. Most bottles with a secure lid should be able to contain fizzy drinks, but always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.

  4. Temperature: Be cautious with very hot or very cold beverages. Sudden temperature changes can stress some materials, such as glass. Additionally, extremely hot liquids can cause burns if the bottle is not designed for them.

  5. Fruit Pulp: If you’re using the bottle for fruit juice with pulp, consider a bottle with a wide mouth or a strainer to prevent clogs in the spout or straw.

  6. Leak-Proof Design: For fizzy drinks, make sure the bottle has a leak-proof design to prevent spills.

Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines for using your specific water bottle with fizzy drinks or fruit juice. It’s also a good practice to rinse and clean your bottle promptly after use to maintain its freshness and prevent odors.

newwater.com recommends hand washing all our water bottles (even the dishwasher safe ones). Why is that? Good question! Here are our three main reasons:
 
1. Over time, repeated hot water machine washing can cause the artwork on your bottle to fade, peel or crack.
 
2. The rubber and silicone seals used to keep liquids in the bottle can break down and cause leaks.
 
3. Even the best dishwashers usually can’t get the inside of water bottles as clean as a bottle brush and elbow grease.