Exploring foldable heat-shrinkable PET film is significant. It opens a window into a world of advanced packaging solutions. This special PET film variant has excellent properties. It stands out from the clear fit and anti-scatter features to resistance to environmental factors like rain and moisture. Let’s take a closer look at the features, benefits, and manufacturing processes. We will reveal its important role in different markets such as convenience foods and beverages. Let’s learn how this innovation ensures product safety. And how it contributes to environmentally friendly and efficient recycling practices.
1. Expanding on PET Film Types and Advantages
There are many types of PET film, each with unique properties and benefits.
1.1 Foldable High Gloss PET Film
The film not only has excellent physical and mechanical properties. And the optical performance is also excellent. It has the characteristics of high transparency, low haze, and high gloss. Foldable high-gloss PET film is mainly used in high-end vacuum aluminum plating products. The mirror effect after aluminum plating enhances the decorative nature of the packaging. It is a good ideal for applications such as laser holography. The market for high-gloss BOPET films is huge and has high added value. The economic benefits are obvious.
1.2 Foldable Transfer PET Film
Transfer film is also called thermal transfer film. The transfer film features high tensile strength, good thermal stability, and low thermal shrinkage. It has a smooth and clean surface and good peelability. And it can be used repeatedly. It is mainly used as a carrier for vacuum aluminum plating. That is, put the PET film into the vacuum aluminum plating machine. After aluminizing, glue is applied and combined with paper. The PET film is then peeled off, and the aluminum molecular layer is transferred to the cardboard surface through adhesion, forming what is called aluminized cardboard.
I have write an article with tile of Application of PET Heat Transfer Film in Home Decor and Photo Frames, you can check here.
1.3 Foldable Reflective PET Film
PET reflective film has excellent optical properties. It has a smooth surface, good gloss, and good thermal stability. It has low shrinkage and is resistant to light aging. There are two types of reflective materials in transportation facilities, lens-type directional reflective film and flat-top reflective film. They both use aluminized PET film as the reflective layer. First, apply pressure-sensitive adhesive on its surface. And then adhere several glass beads with a refractive index of 1.9 to the PET aluminized film. Finally, spray a layer of butyral surface protective layer. PET reflective film can be used for billboards with reflective requirements, traffic reflective signs (reflective road signs, reflective isolation belts, reflective vehicle license plates), reflective police uniforms, industrial safety signs, etc.
1.4 Foldable Chemical Coated PET Film
If you want to improve the surface properties of PET film, improve the printing adaptability and bonding strength of the vacuum aluminum plating layer. Corona treatment can usually be used to increase the surface tension of the film. However, the corona method has problems such as timeliness, especially in high temperature and high humidity environments. The film tension after corona treatment is easily attenuated. The chemical coating method does not have such problems. So, it is favored by the printing industry and aluminum plating industry. At present, some companies have developed a series of PET chemical coating products. For example, coating with water-soluble polymers can increase the surface tension of PET films. Coating with acrylic emulsion can improve printing adaptability (water-soluble ink can be used). Coating with polyurethane aqueous solution can strengthen the bonding force between the aluminum coating and the PET base film. And it can also increase the thickness of the aluminum coating. Besides, high-barrier films and antistatic films can also be produced using coating methods.
About PET chips coating technology and application, i also write an article to introduce, please check it here.
1.5 Foldable Antistatic PET Film
Today’s world has entered the information age. Electromagnetic waves of various frequencies and wavelengths fill the entire earth space. These electromagnetic waves will cause varying degrees of interference to unshielded sensitive electronic components, circuit boards, and communication equipment. They can cause data distortion and communication impairments. Static electricity is generated by electromagnetic induction and friction. It will affect various sensitive components, instruments, and certain chemical products. For example, high-voltage discharges caused by static electricity accumulation in packaging films can have devastating consequences. So, it is also important to develop antistatic PET packaging films. The antistatic film adds a certain amount of antistatic agent to PET film. An extremely thin conductive layer forms on the surface of the film and forms a continuous phase. This increases the surface conductivity, allowing the generated charge to escape as quickly as possible. It is generally required that the surface-specific resistance of the antistatic film is ≤10 to the 9th power and 11th power ohms.
1.6 Foldable Heat Seal PET Film
Ordinary PET is a crystalline polymer. PET film will produce a greater degree of crystallization after stretching and orientation. If it is heat-sealed, it will shrink and deform. So, ordinary PET film does not have heat-sealing properties. When PET film is used for product packaging, it is used to solve the heat sealing problem. The method of compounding BOPET film with PE film or CPP film is usually used. To solve the heat sealing problem. By modifying PET resin and using an A/B/C three-layer structure die. A three-layer co-extruded heat-sealable PET film has been developed. This heat-sealable PET film has a heat-sealable layer on one side, so it can be heat-sealed directly and is very convenient to use. Heat-sealing PET film can be widely used in packaging and card protection films for various commodities.
Application of PET Heat Transfer Film in Home Decor and Photo Frames
1.7 Foldable Heat Shrink PET Film
Polyester heat shrink film represents a new type of shrink packaging material. These films are easily recyclable, non-toxic, odorless, and have excellent mechanical properties. This makes it an ideal substitute for PVC in developed countries. Ordinary PET film has a limited shrinkage rate. The modified copolymer PET film can achieve a shrinkage rate of more than 70%. Heat-shrinkable PET films are widely used in convenience food packaging, beverage markets, electronics, and metal products. It is worth noting that it is environmentally friendly and easy to recycle. So they are widely used in shrink labels. Besides, these films are transparent, safe for packaging, rainproof, moisture-proof, and mildew-proof. It is non-recoverable and has added anti-counterfeiting function. The application scope of heat-shrinkable PET film is expanding from labels to outer packaging of daily necessities. Prove its protective and promotional features.
2. Characteristics of Heat Shrink Polyester Film
This type of film remains stable at room temperature. When heated, more than 70% of thermal shrinkage occurs in one direction.
- Advantages of Packaging with Heat Shrink Polyester Film
- Transparent fit, showcasing the product’s image
- Close to the packaging, good anti-scattering properties
- Resistant to rain, moisture, and mold
- Non-recoverable, providing a certain level of anti-counterfeiting functionality
Heat-shrinkable polyester films are usually used in the convenience food, beverage, electronics, and metal products markets.
Its main application is shrink labels, especially with the rapid growth of PET beverage bottles such as Coke, Sprite, and various juices. These bottles need the use of PET shrink film to heat seal the labels. Part of the polyester family, these films are environmentally friendly and easily recyclable. If you want to know more, please click here for a detailed application introduction about Shrink Film Labels.
Besides shrink labels, heat-shrinkable polyester film is also used in the outer packaging of daily necessities. Not only do they protect packaged items from impact, rain, moisture, and rust, but they also enhance the product’s appeal with a beautifully printed appearance. This usage helps create a positive image for the manufacturer. Many packaging companies are now using printed shrink films instead of traditional transparent films. Printed shrink film can enhance the appearance of products and support advertising. It leaves a lasting impression on consumers about your brand and logo.
3. Manufacturing Process
PET film is usually produced using the extrusion method with polyester plastic. During the preparation process. PET chips are melted extruded and cooled to form a continuous film.
5. Safety Information
5.1 Under normal conditions, PET film is relatively safe and will not produce harmful gases or substances. But, at high temperatures, such as during heat treatment, PET film may release harmful substances such as formaldehyde. So, proper ventilation and safety precautions are crucial.
5.2 When using PET film for food packaging. It is vital to ensure that the film meets relevant food hygiene standards to ensure its safety.
5.3 Although the PET film itself has good chemical resistance. But you still need to be careful when it comes into contact with certain chemicals, such as strong acids or alkalis. It is recommended to use a thicker PET film for added protection against chemical attack.
