Polyester (PET) film is a versatile plastic widely used in many applications. PET materials exhibit good chemical resistance and are tough and durable when compared to other commodity resins with similar performances and price ranges. This material can also be die cut or laser cut to efficiently create products with consistent designs.
The dimensional stability of polyester film allows it to be used in numerous applications, including face shields, laminates, membrane circuitry, electronic insulation, carrier films, and a variety of graphic arts applications.
Specific polyester films can be made to be FDA approved. This characteristic provides a tremendous benefit for applications such as face shields that are used in areas where sterilization and cleanliness is vital.
Most readily produced in gauges from 48 (1/2 mil) to .014, PET film is available as print treated on one or two sides for easy printability, slip treated for ease of handling, and in options such as super clear, clear, hazy and white depending on your particular needs.
Piedmont Plastics carries a variety of film products in varying grades, textures, and transparencies in over 48 locations across North America. Contact us today to discuss your polyester film needs and our dedicated film specialists will help you select the right solution for your application.
Polypropylene Films
Polypropylene or PP is a low cost thermoplastic of high clarity, high gloss and good tensile strength. It has a higher melting point than PE, which makes it suitable for applications that require sterilization at high temperatures. It also has less haze and higher gloss. Generally, the heat-sealing properties of PP are not as good as those of LDPE. LDPE also has better tear strength and low temperature impact resistance.
PP can be metallized which results in improved gas barrier properties for demanding applications where long product shelf life is important. PP films are well suited for a broad range of industrial, consumer, and automotive applications.
PP is fully recyclable and can be easily reprocessed into many other products for many different applications. However, unlike paper and other cellulose products, PP is not biodegradable. On the upside, PP waste does not produce toxic or harmful by-products.
The two most important types are cast unoriented polypropylene (CPP) and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). Both types have high gloss, exceptional optics, good or excellent heat-sealing performance, better heat resistance than PE, and good moisture barrier properties.
Cast Polypropylene Films (CPP)
Cast unoriented Polypropylene (CPP) generally finds fewer applications than biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). However, CPP has been steadily gaining ground as an excellent choice in many traditional flexible packaging as well as non-packaging applications. The film properties can be customized to meet specific packaging, performance, and processing requirements. In general, CPP has higher tear and impact resistance, better cold temperature performance and heat-sealing properties than BOPP.
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Films (BOPP)
Biaxially oriented polypropylene or BOPP1 is the most important polypropylene film. It is an excellent alternative to cellophane, waxed paper, and aluminum foil. The orientation increases tensile strength and stiffness, lowers elongation (harder to stretch), and improves the optical properties, and somewhat improves vapor barrier properties. In general, BOPP has higher tensile strength, higher modulus (stiffness), lower elongation, better gas barrier, and lower haze than CPP.
APPLICATIONS
PP film is used for many common packaging applications such as cigarette, candy, snack and food wraps. It also can be used for shrink wrap, tape liners, diapers and sterile wrap used in medical applications. Because PP has only average gas barrier properties, it often is coated with other polymers such as PVDC or acrylic which greatly improves its gas barrier properties.
Due to the low odor, high chemical resistance and inertness, many PP grades are suitable for packaging applications under FDA regulations.
