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{{Short description|Thin continuous polymeric material}}
{{distinguish|text=films titled ''Plastic'', see [[Plastic (disambiguation)]]}}
{{distinguish|text=films titled ''Plastic'', see [[Plastic (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Film strip.jpg|thumb|Film strip]]
[[File:Film strip.jpg|thumb|Film strip ([[photographic film]])]]
[[File:Vapour barrier.JPG|thumb|right|6 mil Polyethylene plastic sheet as vapor barrier in construction]]
[[File:Vapour barrier.JPG|thumb|right|6 mil polyethylene plastic sheet as vapor barrier in construction]]
[[File:Sweets packaging made of PLA-Blend Bio-Flex.jpg|thumb|right|[[Confectionery]] packaging made of PLA-blend bio-flex [[bioplastic]]]]
[[File:Sweets packaging made of PLA-Blend Bio-Flex.jpg|thumb|right|[[Confectionery]] packaging made of PLA-blend bio-flex [[bioplastic]]]]
[[File:US Navy 030808-N-5613J-010 Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., are shrink wrapped.jpg|thumb|right|Shrink wrapped [[OH-58 Kiowa]] helicopters to be shipped.]]
[[File:US Navy 030808-N-5613J-010 Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., are shrink wrapped.jpg|thumb|right|Shrink-wrapped [[OH-58 Kiowa]] helicopters to be shipped.]]


'''Plastic film''' is a thin continuous polymeric material. Thicker plastic material is often called a "sheet". These thin [[plastic]] membranes are used to separate areas or volumes, to hold items, to act as barriers, or as printable surfaces.
'''Plastic film''' is a thin continuous polymeric material. Thicker plastic material is often called a "sheet". These thin [[plastic]] membranes are used to separate areas or volumes, to hold items, to act as barriers, or as printable surfaces.


Plastic films are used in a wide variety of applications. These include: [[packaging]], [[plastic bag]]s, [[label]]s, building construction, landscaping, electrical fabrication, [[photographic film]], [[film stock]] for movies, [[video tape]], etc.
Plastic films are used in a wide variety of applications. These include: [[packaging]], [[plastic bag]]s, [[label]]s, building construction, landscaping, electrical fabrication, [[photographic film]], [[film stock]] for movies, [[video tape]], etc.
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Almost all plastics can be formed into a thin film. Some of the primary ones are:
Almost all plastics can be formed into a thin film. Some of the primary ones are:


* [[Polyethylene]] – The most common plastic film is made of one of the varieties of polyethylene; [[Low-density polyethylene]], [[Medium-density polyethylene]], [[High-density polyethylene]], and [[Linear low-density polyethylene]].
* [[Polyethylene]] – The most common plastic film is made of one of the varieties of polyethylene: [[low-density polyethylene]], [[medium-density polyethylene]], [[high-density polyethylene]], or [[linear low-density polyethylene]].
* [[Polypropylene]] – Polypropylene can be made a cast film, biaxially oriented film (BOPP), or as a uniaxially oriented film.
* [[Polypropylene]] – Polypropylene can be made a cast film, biaxially oriented film (BOPP), or as a uniaxially oriented film.
* [[Polyester]] – [[BoPET]] is a biaxially oriented polyester film
* [[Polyester]] – [[BoPET]] is a biaxially oriented polyester film.
* [[Nylon]] – [[BOPA/BON]] is a Biaxially Oriented Polyamide/Nylon - (Commonly known as Nylon)
* [[Nylon]]
* [[Polyvinyl chloride]] – film can be with or without a [[Plasticizer]]
* [[Polyvinyl chloride]] – film can be with or without a [[Plasticizer]]
* [[Cellulose acetate]] - an early bioplastic
* [[Cellulose acetate]] - an early bioplastic.
* [[Cellophane]] - made of regenerated cellulose
* [[Cellophane]] - made of regenerated cellulose.
* A variety of [[bioplastic]]s and [[biodegradable plastic]]s are available. <ref>{{cite journal
* A variety of [[bioplastic]]s and [[biodegradable plastic]]s are available.<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Ammala
| last = Ammala
| first =Anne
| first =Anne
| title =An overview of degradable and biodegradable polyolefins
| title =An overview of degradable and biodegradable polyolefins
| journal = Progress in Polymer Science
| journal = Progress in Polymer Science
| publisher =
| date =2011
| date =2011
| pages =1015-1049
| pages =1015–1049
| volume = 36
| volume = 36
| issue = 8
| issue = 8
| url =https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP102448&dsid=DS3
| url =https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP102448&dsid=DS3
⚫
| access-date =September 21, 2018
⚫
| isbn =
| doi=10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2010.12.002}}</ref>
⚫
| access-date =September 21, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Semiembossed film]] – Semiembossed film can be used as a liner to the [[calender]]ed rubber to retain the properties of rubber and also to prevent dust and other foreign matters from sticking to the rubber while calendering and during storage
* [[Semiembossed film]] – Semiembossed film can be used as a liner to the [[calender]]ed rubber to retain the properties of rubber and also to prevent dust and other foreign matters from sticking to the rubber while calendering and during storage


==Processes==
==Processes==
[[File:Film extrusion.jpg |thumb|A tube of extruded film being blown to expand]]
[[File:Film extrusion.jpg |thumb|A tube of extruded film being blown to expand]]


Plastic films are usually [[thermoplastic]]s and are formed by melting for forming the film.<ref name=Polymers>{{cite book|last1=White|first1=James Lindsay|title=Principles of Polymer Engineering Rheology|date=July 20, 1990|publisher=Wiley-Interscience|page=49|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q9X5C_0kpgIC&lpg=PA49|accessdate=2014-12-25}}</ref>
Plastic films are usually [[thermoplastic]]s and are formed by melting for forming the film.<ref name=Polymers>{{cite book|last1=White|first1=James Lindsay|title=Principles of Polymer Engineering Rheology|date=July 20, 1990|publisher=Wiley-Interscience|page=49|isbn=9780471853626|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q9X5C_0kpgIC&pg=PA49|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref>
* Cast – [[Plastics extrusion]] can cast film which is cooled or quenched then wound up on a roll.
* Cast – [[Plastics extrusion]] can cast film which is cooled or quenched then wound up on a roll.
* [[Plastics extrusion|Extruded]] film can be stretched, thinned, or oriented in one or two directions. [[Die Forming (Plastics) |Blown]] or tubular process forces air into an extruded ring to expand the film. Flat tenter frames stretch the extruded film before annealing.<ref> {{cite patent
* [[Plastics extrusion|Extruded]] film can be stretched, thinned, or oriented in one or two directions. [[Die Forming (Plastics)|Blown]] or tubular process forces air into an extruded ring to expand the film. Flat tenter frames stretch the extruded film before annealing.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=5072493|title=Apparatus for drawing plastic film in a tenter frame|pubdate=1991-12-17|assign1=[[E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.]]|inventor1-last=Hommes|inventor1-first=William J.|inventor2-last=Keegan Jr.|inventor2-first=John J.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| last =Ferrer-Balas
| number = US 5072493 A
| first =D
| title =Apparatus for drawing plastic film in a tenter frame
| title =Influence of annealing on the microstructural, tensile and fracture properties of polypropylene films
| pubdate =1991
| journal = Polymer
| inventor =Hommes
| volume =42
| url =https://www.google.com/patents/US5072493
⚫
| issue =
}}</ref>
| pages =1697–1705
* [[Calender]] rolls can be used to form film from hot polymers<ref> {{cite patent
| date =2001
| number =US5167894A
| url = https://www.academia.edu/19563186/Influence_of_annealing_on_the_microstructural_tensile_and_fracture_properties_of_polypropylene_films
| title =Apparatus comprising an extruder and a calender for producing sheets and/or foils from plastic or rubber mixtures
| access-date = 18 May 2023}}</ref>
| pubdate =1992
* [[Calender]] rolls can be used to form film from hot polymers<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=5167894|title=Apparatus comprising an extruder and a calender for producing sheets and/or foils from plastic or rubber mixtures|pubdate=1992-12-01|assign1=Paul Troester Maschinenfabrik|inventor1-last=Baumgarten|inventor1-first=Wilfried W.}}</ref>
| inventor =Wilfried W. Baumgarten
| url =https://patents.google.com/patent/US5167894A/en
}}</ref>
* Solution deposition is another film forming process.
* Solution deposition is another film forming process.
* Skiving is used to scrape off a film from a solid core (sometimes used to make PTFE [[thread seal tape]])
* Skiving is used to scrape off a film from a solid core (sometimes used to make PTFE [[thread seal tape]])
* Coextrusion involves extruding two or more layers of dissimilar polymers into a single film
* Coextrusion involves extruding two or more layers of dissimilar polymers into a single film
* Lamination combines two or more films (or other materials) into a sandwich.<ref>{{cite patent
* [[Lamination]] combines two or more films (or other materials) into a sandwich.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=5037683|title=High strength laminated film for chub packaging|pubdate=1991-08-06|assign1=[[W. R. Grace & Co.]]|inventor1-last=Schirmer|inventor1-first=Henry G.}}</ref>
| number =US5037683A
| title =High strength laminated film for chub packaging
| pubdate =1991
| inventor =Schirmer
| url =https://patents.google.com/patent/US5037683A/en
}}</ref>
* [[Extrusion coating]] is used to form a film onto another film or substrate
* [[Extrusion coating]] is used to form a film onto another film or substrate


==Further processing==
==Further processing==
Plastic films are typically formed into rolls by [[roll slitting]]. Often additional [[coating]] or [[printing]] operations are also used.
Plastic films are typically formed into rolls by [[roll slitting]]. Often additional [[coating]] or [[printing]] operations are also used. Films can be modified by [[physical vapor deposition]] to make [[metallised film]]s. Films can be subjected to [[corona treatment]] or [[plasma processing]]; films can have [[release agent]]s applied as needed.
Films can be modified by [[physical vapor deposition]] to make [[metallised film]]s. Films can be subjected to [[corona treatment]] or [[Plasma processing]]; films can have [[release agent]]s applied as needed.


==See also==
==See also==
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*[[Die cutting (web)]]
*[[Die cutting (web)]]
*[[Film base]]
*[[Film base]]
*[[Film blowing machine]]
⚫
*[[Overwrap]]
⚫
*[[Shrink wrap]]
*[[Heat sealer]]
*[[Heat sealer]]
⚫
*[[Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting]]
⚫
*[[Overwrap]]
*[[Plastic welding]]
*[[Plastic welding]]
*[[Plastic wrap]]
*[[Plastic wrap]]
⚫
*[[Shrink wrap]]
*[[Stretch wrap]]
*[[Stretch wrap]]
*[[Thin film]]
⚫
*[[Journal of Plastic Film and Sheeting]]


==References==
==References==
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{{plastics}}
{{plastics}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Packaging materials]]
[[Category:Packaging materials]]

Latest revision as of 22:28, 5 April 2024

Not to be confused with films titled Plastic, see Plastic (disambiguation).
Film strip (photographic film)
6 mil polyethylene plastic sheet as vapor barrier in construction
Confectionery packaging made of PLA-blend bio-flex bioplastic
Shrink-wrapped OH-58 Kiowa helicopters to be shipped.

Plastic film is a thin continuous polymeric material. Thicker plastic material is often called a "sheet". These thin plastic membranes are used to separate areas or volumes, to hold items, to act as barriers, or as printable surfaces.

Plastic films are used in a wide variety of applications. These include: packaging, plastic bags, labels, building construction, landscaping, electrical fabrication, photographic film, film stock for movies, video tape, etc.

Materials[edit]

Almost all plastics can be formed into a thin film. Some of the primary ones are:

Processes[edit]

A tube of extruded film being blown to expand

Plastic films are usually thermoplastics and are formed by melting for forming the film.[2]

  • Cast – Plastics extrusion can cast film which is cooled or quenched then wound up on a roll.
  • Extruded film can be stretched, thinned, or oriented in one or two directions. Blown or tubular process forces air into an extruded ring to expand the film. Flat tenter frames stretch the extruded film before annealing.[3][4]
  • Calender rolls can be used to form film from hot polymers[5]
  • Solution deposition is another film forming process.
  • Skiving is used to scrape off a film from a solid core (sometimes used to make PTFE thread seal tape)
  • Coextrusion involves extruding two or more layers of dissimilar polymers into a single film
  • Lamination combines two or more films (or other materials) into a sandwich.[6]
  • Extrusion coating is used to form a film onto another film or substrate

Further processing[edit]

Plastic films are typically formed into rolls by roll slitting. Often additional coating or printing operations are also used. Films can be modified by physical vapor deposition to make metallised films. Films can be subjected to corona treatment or plasma processing; films can have release agents applied as needed.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ammala, Anne (2011). "An overview of degradable and biodegradable polyolefins". Progress in Polymer Science. 36 (8): 1015–1049. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2010.12.002. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  2. ^ White, James Lindsay (July 20, 1990). Principles of Polymer Engineering Rheology. Wiley-Interscience. p. 49. ISBN 9780471853626. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
  3. ^ US 5072493, Hommes, William J. & Keegan Jr., John J., "Apparatus for drawing plastic film in a tenter frame", published 1991-12-17, assigned to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. 
  4. ^ Ferrer-Balas, D (2001). "Influence of annealing on the microstructural, tensile and fracture properties of polypropylene films". Polymer. 42: 1697–1705. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  5. ^ US 5167894, Baumgarten, Wilfried W., "Apparatus comprising an extruder and a calender for producing sheets and/or foils from plastic or rubber mixtures", published 1992-12-01, assigned to Paul Troester Maschinenfabrik 
  6. ^ US 5037683, Schirmer, Henry G., "High strength laminated film for chub packaging", published 1991-08-06, assigned to W. R. Grace & Co. 

Standards by ASTM International[edit]

D882 – Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D1004 – Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1204 – Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
D1593 – Standard Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1709 – Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free Falling Dart Method
D1894 – Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1922 – Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
D1938 – Standard Test Method for Tear Propagation Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by a Single Tear Method
D2103 – Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
D2582 – Standard Test Method for Puncture Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
D2673 – Standard Specification for Oriented Polypropylene Film
D2732 – Standard Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D2838 -Standard Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
D2923 – Standard Test Method for Rigidity of Polyolefin Film and Sheeting
D3420 – Standard Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
D3595 – Standard Specification for Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) Extruded Plastic Sheet and Film
D3664 – Standard Specification for Biaxially Oriented Polymeric Resin Film for Capacitors in Electrical Equipment
D3985 – Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor
D4321 – Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
D5047 – Standard Specification for Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Sheeting
D6287 – Standard Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens
D6988 – Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
D8136 - Standard Test Method for Determining Plastic Film Thickness and Thickness Variability Using a Non-Contact Capacitance Thickness Gauge
E1870 – Standard Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film
F2029- Standard Practices for Making Heatseals for Determination of Heatsealability of Flexible Webs as Measured by Seal Strength
F2622 – Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using Various Sensors

Books and general references[edit]

  • Hawkins, William E, The Plastic Film and Foil Web Handling Guide CRC Press 2003
  • Jenkins, W. A., and Osborn, K. R. Plastic Films: Technology and Packaging Applications, CRC Press 1992
  • Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
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