Plastic film is one of the most versatile materials for commercial and industrial products. Consumers may be more familiar with plastic bags, shrink wrap, or any number of plastics products used for the packaging of common products.
One common way to use plastic materials is as flexible plastic sheets. These are basically sheets of plastic that measure several feet across and are thin enough to maintain good flexibility. What exactly are flexible plastic films made of and how are they used?
1. What are flexible plastic films?
Flexible plastic films are typically sold and used in large formats and can be rolled up during transportation and storage. There is a wide range of plastic materials used for plastic sheets, as well as colors, surface finishes, and additives that enhance their mechanical and chemical properties.
All things considered, flexible plastic films are nothing more than pieces of industrial plastic that are molded into films thin enough to maintain flexibility. It’s important to note that are such things as “rigid plastic films” which are deliberately thicker and stiffer.
2. Common materials and applications of flexible plastic films
There is an extensive range of plastics used to manufacture flexible films. We will focus only on the more commercially relevant ones.
HDPE
Rigidity isn’t the only strength of HDPE. It is also known for its excellent chemical resistance and stability when exposed to UV. For these reasons, HDPE plastic films are often used as liners for chemical storage and food storage. Films made with HDPE are also commonly used as lining for outdoor facilities like playgrounds, gardens, and ponds.
LDPE
The main benefit of using LDPE is that it easily conforms to just about any geometry, making it ideal for the packaging of commercial products.
LLDPE
Linear low-density polyethylene is an extremely flexible plastic sheet material. In contrast to LDPE, LLDPE has higher tensile strength, superior puncture resistance, and even better conformability to different geometries. LLDPE films are rarely used on their own and are instead used as support linings for other applications or blended into other polymers to enhance flexibility.
Acrylic
The value of acrylic is quite enduring, resisting the deleterious effects of the elements such as rain, moisture, salt spray, or corrosive agents. Typical uses include sight gauges, windshields, chair pads, safety shields, and protective covers.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is quite similar to acrylic in that they transmit a good amount of light. In many cases, polycarbonate is used as a lighter and more flexible alternative to glass. However, polycarbonate is quite expensive – it costs about twice as much as acrylic.
PVC
Aside from being strong and chemically stable, PVC provides good thermal, electrical, and sound insulation. As an abrasive-resistant material, PVC films are used everywhere from product packaging to construction.
ABS
It has good strength and toughness, is stable under UV exposure, and has good chemical resistance. Compared to other industrial plastics, ABS is a more versatile, lower cost, general-purpose option for flexible plastic sheets. ABS is very commonly found in the trimmings of automobile interiors and household appliances
Read more: Distinguish the characteristics of HDPE film and LDPE film
3. Other additives used to enhance flexible plastic films
In some cases, additives are used to create more variations of flexible plastic films from the same base material. Additives can also be introduced to enhance the physical and chemical properties of a plastic film, thus making them more appropriate for the intended use. These are some of the most common additives used in flexible plastic films:
Dyes or other coloring agents
The most basic reason to put additives in plastic sheets is to differentiate them by color. This is valuable for applications such as in product packaging or interior design.
UV stabilizers
UV stabilizers help make flexible plastic sheets more resilient from UV attacks, making them more appropriate for outdoor use.
Anti-static compounds
Flexible plastic sheets used for electronics and telecommunications are often treated with anti-static compounds. Anti-static additives can also be useful for general product packaging, as it reduces dust buildup and accumulation during storage and transportation. This makes products more visually appealing when they arrive at the point of sales.
Flame retardants
This does not make them fireproof but instead will help extinguish any fire that the plastic compound can start. This means that the plastic will still melt – it just won’t help spread the fire.
Anti-slip agents
Anti-slip additives reduce the friction coefficient on the surface of plastic sheets. This is crucial in applications where they need to stay in place, such as in food packaging.
Flexible plastic films have a wide range of commercial and manufacturing industrial applications. As they are flexible enough to be rolled up, plastic sheets can be very easy to transport in large quantities. As a testament to the versatility of plastics, there is a wide range of flexible plastic films with different materials, colors, and physical properties.
4. Why choose us?
Bao Ma Production & Trading Co Ltd is complying with the ISO 9001-2015 which ensures the quality control system and the ability to produce different materials and sizes of poly bags and rolls, including:
- Packing products for agricultural, aquatic, food consumption, industrial purposes.
- Zip-lock bag, shopping bag, garbage bag, plastic carriers.
- Plastic sheeting
- Perforated plastic roll
- Poly roll of 2m – 4m measurement for the use of lining prawn-raising ponds, for construction sites and sewage system usage, and as cover sheets for agricultural and industrial purposes.
- Printing services on packages of up to 6 colors with customization
- Trading various plastic raw materials such as PP, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE…
So, please contact us via hotline: (028) 37540 999 – 096 314 5959 and let us be honored to serve you in the best way possible.
BAO MA PRODUCTION & TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
Address: No. 21 Tan Tao Industrial Park, Road No. 3, Tan Tao A Ward, Binh Tan District, HCMC
Tel: (028) 37540 999 – 096 314 5959
Email: info@poma.com.vn
Website: www.poma.com.vn
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