Plastic Film
Buy the plastic film with the right properties for your application
Even if one roll of clear plastic film or sheeting looks the same as another, they may have very different properties. For one, their thermal properties my differ. One plastic film may conduct heat more readily than another, or expand more extensively due to heat. Various types of plastic film sheeting also break and stretch differently, have different electric resistivity, and refract or transmit light differently. Plastic film is also manufactured with different filler products that may change its properties, and plastic film comes in a number of precise thicknesses.Industrial plastic sheeting is used in many industries, including automotive, electronics, food handling, medical, aerospace, construction and many other applications. Since there are still even more features of plastic film additional to those mentioned above, the key is to get the right plastic for a given application.
Here are just a sampling of the wide variety of plastics used in the manufacture of sheeting:
1. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)
2. Liquid crystal polymers (LCP)
3. Polyesters and vinyl esters
4. Polyethylene terphthalate (PET)
5. Silicone plastic film
Buy from a quality plastic film manufacturer at competitive plastic film prices
One obvious factor to pay attention to when buying industrial plastic film is the width, length and thickness of a roll or rigid sheet. The size factor clearly limits how and if a particular roll will work for your application. Compare like-sized rolls across plastic film manufacturers to get the best price.
Try: Grafix Plastics carries plastic film and rigid plastic sheeting composed of a nice range of materials, like PVC, polypropylene, and both Mylar and polyester. They also carry specialty products like drafting film, and even decorative film. Plastic Film Corporation covers the range of plastic film applications, including domestic projects and bookbinding. They offer films and sheeting in a wide range of colors.
Buy plastic film that has the specific qualities to fit your application
The general characteristics of films were mentioned earlier in this guide, but consider some specific qualities and features. Some plastic sheeting features static control, ESD control, EMI and RFI shielding, flame resistance and significant thermal insulation. Additionally, there is adhesive plastic film out there if you need it.
Try: Some sources of industrial plastic film list their products' specifications clearly on their websites. Blueridge Films, Inc. is an excellent example. Raven, Engineered Films Division, does not provide such precise information on their website, but you can get an extensive explanation of the qualities of each of their products by hitting the "Spec" buttons.
Consider the environment when buying or disposing of plastic film
Plastic is not biodegradable, so use and order only what you need and look for products that are just thick enough to fit your application. And when it comes time to throw out plastic film or plastic sheeting, please recycle.
Try: GAR Plastics, Inc. takes almost any type of plastic, and they help with the shipment process. You could also handle more of the recycling process yourself by having size-reducing equipment on site. In that case, Pallmann Pulverizers is a good choice for a wide range of needs.
- Don't forget that plastic film keeps out water and works as a temporary weather barrier. In a pinch it even works as a temporary tarp, though it's not as easy to secure.
Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
