Home » Guides » Industrial » Industrial Goods » Using Plastic Sheets

Using Plastic Sheets

A look at the functionality of plastic sheeting over a vast array of industries

By Michelle Cramer
Plastic sheets are the best way to acquire plastic to use for your business products. They come in a variety of plastic types, such as polycarbonate, ABS, polyethylene, acrylic and vinyl. Each chemical makeup produces different properties in the plastic. Some plastic sheeting is flexible, while other sheeting is impact-resistant. Still, some sheeting is transparent, while other varieties come in every color imaginable.

As a product manufacturer, you need to determine which type of plastic sheeting best fits your production needs. To get started, consider the following examples of using plastic sheets based upon the properties of the plastic:

1. Polyolefin sheets of high-density polyethylene are the best option for food containers.

2. Acrylic obtained from plastic sheet distributors will be a great asset to your construction company.

3. A corrugated plastic sheet works great with screen printing for signs or product logos on packaging.

 

Manufacture safe food product containers with HDPE plastic sheeting

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) ranks as one of the top plastics for use with food packaging because it is the least likely to release chemicals into the food. The opacity of HDPE protects the food from exposure to light, heat and oxygen, which results in a longer period before expiration. If your company manufactures plastic food storage containers, you should use a thermoplastic sheet of HDPE to protect consumers and the environment.
Try: Visit Omega Nutrition for more information on the benefits of using HDPE for plastic food containers. Purchase sheets of HDPE from Tap Plastics.

Use plastic sheets of acrylic in home construction

Acrylic is a useful, lighter and less-expensive alternative to glass. Some examples of the use of acrylics in homes include shower doors, skylights and windows. Using it for windows provides better insulation and less chance for breakage, because it is much more impact-resistant than glass. Construction companies should consider purchasing acrylic sheets, such as Plexiglas, to cut to scale for their needs as a glass alternative.
Try: Ridout Plastics, a Plexiglas supplier, provides a lot of styles to choose from, such as clear, colored, mirrored or frosted Plexiglas sheets. For more information on acrylics, including types and benefits, visit Wise Geek.

Produce signs and packaging with corrugated plastic sheets

Businesses that provide signs to their customers should consider using corrugated plastic sheets. They come in a variety of colors and are ideal for screen printing. Additionally, much like cardboard, corrugated plastic works wonderfully as packaging. Consider using it for product packaging or to provide custom packaging for customer needs. Again, its versatility for screen printing allows for beautiful graphic logos on all your packages.
Try: Coroplast offers details about the specific applications for their corrugated plastic sheeting or simply by the sheet. According to Champion Box Company, corrugated plastic is also great for backgrounds, photographic light reflection and even greenhouse panels.

 

  • Thermoplastic sheeting is among the most widely used form of plastic available. These polymer plastics, such as polycarbonate, ABS and polyethylene plastic sheeting, have a lot of versatility. Its usage ranges from grocery and garbage bags to vacuum cleaner hoses and automotive battery cases.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.