Everything you need to know about plastic wrap

Polyethylene film is in demand and is widely used in many areas. The material is most actively used in gardening, product packaging and construction. The film has quite interesting physical properties, it is strong and elastic. There are different types of PE, depending on the composition and form of release.

Polyethylene film is versatile and can find its place in any area of ​​human life and activity. It can be primary or secondary, depending on the raw materials used. It should be noted that it does not decompose in nature. The first signs of decay appear only 400 years later.

Special equipment makes it possible to make polymer material from PE granules and additives. The extrusion method is used in the manufacture. Here are the main advantages of film:

• The material does not react chemically with the environment. Thanks to this, the film can even be used for storing food.
• Elasticity and ductility. The canvas can be easily stretched to wrap an object.
• Steam and moisture resistance.
• The material creates a barrier to air and is airtight.
• Unpainted transparencies are transparent so you can see the content.
• Good dielectric properties.
• Long service life.

There are also disadvantages to plastic wrap:

• The material melts at temperatures over 115 ° C.
• Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, it quickly loses its properties, ages and begins to disintegrate.
• Poor tolerance to low temperatures. With prolonged exposure, the material becomes brittle.

Plastic wrap is produced by many companies. All characteristics and specifications are governed by GOST 10354-82. The basis for the production is polyethylene of various grades and types. The material itself is a product of ethylene polymerization. It has a lot of properties that have already become familiar to most people.

Consider the main characteristics of any kind of PE film:

• Tensile and tear strength. It can withstand a heavy load of 1 m2.
• Steam and water resistant. At the same time, the moisture absorption rate is not more than 2%. It is worth noting that there are types where vapor permeability is present.
• Air tightness. This makes the film an affordable material for airtight packaging.
• Uncolored films transmit up to 90% of the light.
• PE is non-conductive.
• Does not react with most household and industrial chemicals. Even strong acids, petrol products, alkalis and oils are not afraid.
• Does not decompose naturally. Rotting and the formation of fungus are excluded.
• Retains its properties at temperatures from -80 ° C to + 110 ° C.
• Completely safe when used in a domestic environment.
• Under normal conditions, it lasts for several decades.

The dense film is highly durable and allows you to implement various tasks. PE is lightweight, flexible and docile. You don't need any special skills or qualifications to work with film.The material is easy to cut and glue. When stretched, the length of the PE increases, but the width may decrease.

Polyethylene film is usually transparent, but there are also insulating, black, white, colored films. Marking will help you figure out what kind of material. The film differs in basic composition and additional components. And it can also have a different form of release.

The classification depending on the scope of use includes several points.

• Plain transparent. A good option for packing items and building greenhouses.

• Technical. The material is highly durable, but looks less attractive in appearance. It lets in less light and can have a variety of blotches. Used in construction, production, during repairs. It should be noted that this species has a specific smell.

• Black of the highest grade. A dye made from fine carbon black is used. It can be used for opaque packing, trenching and soil mulching. The main feature is that PE does not transmit light.

• Perennial. Designed for greenhouses and hotbeds, has a long service life. The composition contains stabilizers that make the material suitable for growing plants.

• PVC film. Has higher transparency and extensibility. At the same time, elasticity does not decrease even when exposed to low temperatures.

• Air bubble. Designed for packaging fragile items. There is air between the layers of the film, which protects against impacts, softening them.

• Food grade. Designed for packaging food and ready-to-eat meals.

• Shrink wrap. Packing material. When exposed to elevated temperature, it shrinks and fits the object as tightly as possible.

• Insulating. Can shield from water or light, used in construction. And also there is a material with thermal insulation properties.

There are two main types: LDPE - high pressure polyethylene, and HDPE - low. The main differences lie in the chemical structure. Low pressure material is not afraid of mechanical stress, shows good vapor permeability and elasticity. You can even apply a drawing on such a film. There is also linear low-density polyethylene (LDL), but it is less common.

The film produced under high pressure has no crystal lattice. The material breaks easily when jerking. At the same time, there is high plasticity if the material is stretched smoothly. Such a film is less dense than HDPE. That is why LDPE is usually double.

Both types of films can be single-layer, double-layer or multi-layer. Additional additives are used to improve physical properties. There are types of films depending on the components, brands:

• unstabilized, ordinary - no additives;
• stabilized - the stabilizer allows you to protect the material from direct sunlight, which increases the service life;
• antifog (hydrophilic) - additives allow water droplets to drain from the material, this prevents the formation of a large amount of water;
• antistatic - the components repel dust and dirt from the material, the film remains clean and transparent longer.

There are modified films. Additional qualities are due to the composition and manufacturing technology. So, the film can be colored, stretch, technical and heat-shrinkable. Foamed and reinforced modifications are found.

PE is produced in factories in large quantities. The form of release is different: canvas, sleeve and half-sleeve, tube with folds, cut. It all depends on the scope of use. Initially, the film is made in the form of a sleeve, a tube.

The material is on sale in rolls. The cost from the manufacturer is usually calculated in terms of kilograms, not meters.

When packing large furniture, for the manufacture of waterproofing and roofing, half sleeves are used. If the roll is unwound by hand and the film is used in small pieces, a full sleeve is selected. Blades are used for covering the soil and other agricultural work. And also this option is relevant if several people are packing the goods at once.

Typically, PE has a thickness in the range of 20-200 microns. The exact figure depends on the purpose, scope of use. Plastic wrap is sold in rolls. The size can reach 80-200 linear meters. m. The easiest way to find on sale sleeves with a width of 1.5 meters, turns by 3 meters, windings of 100 running. m.

In hardware stores, canvases can be bought in any quantity: at least 6 meters, at least 300 meters. There you can also find a thick multilayer PE film with a thickness of 400 microns. In the construction industry, it is most often used, but it is not at all suitable for packaging. It should be noted that this is always LDPE.

Low pressure films can be thinner. So, the thickness of the stretch, which is usually bought by housewives in the kitchen, starts from 7 microns. It is worth noting that the film for machine packaging is a little denser, varying in the range of 17-25 microns. In the agricultural sector, films from 100 microns are used. True, most tasks require a density of 120-150 microns.

There are many manufacturing plants on the domestic market that use modern technologies and high-quality equipment. Most of the enterprises have been operating for a long time, have managed to become real giants in their niche. Large companies have their own trademarks and patents. Most of the assortment is produced by several domestic enterprises:

• Ufaorgsintez. The oldest production facility, which has been operating since 1956. We have our own development of the LDPE brand. Offers an assortment of 70 types of PE.
• Nizhnekamskneftekhim. In general, the company specializes in artificial rubber. However, among other things, PE is also manufactured.
• "Stavrolen". HDPE is produced using modern high quality technology. The firm manufactures its products both for Russia and for sale abroad.
• Kazanorgsintez. Covers a large amount of demand for HDPE and LDPE.
• Salavatnefteorgsintez. The production has patented its PE brand and is successfully selling it.
• Tomskneftekhim. Produces basic grades of PE according to GOST. Specializes in high density polyethylene.
• Angarsk plant. Quite an interesting manufacturer. The plant produces high-pressure synthesized PE.
• "Tonar". Since 1995, HDPE and LDPE have been manufactured here. However, the main specialization of the company is packages.
• Gammaflex. Specializes in multilayer polymer films. Durable material for packing heavy and large items.

LDPE, HDPE and LLDPE are produced in the world market by many companies. Let's list the best:

• Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (USA). There is a brand called Marlex. All possible types of PE are manufactured at the plant.

• LyondellBasell (USA). The holding specializes in polymer products. Among PE, there are many proprietary grades with increased strength and improved physical characteristics.

• GC Astor group (China). This company makes many types of films. Among other things, there are food and those that are suitable for use in the medical field.

• Unipetrol RPA (Czech Republic). Leader in his country. Produces LDPE for all industries. We have our own brand, which includes 24 PE options.

• MOL Petrochemicals Co. Ltd (TVK) (Hungary). The company is quite large and has been operating for over 50 years.Sells both LDPE and HDPE.

PE is used in almost all areas. The material is the most affordable, widespread and convenient for packaging a variety of items. Many food products, fabrics, clothing, household goods, industrial goods, toys are packed in primary film. Everything is packed in PE, from elite goods to the most ordinary ones. But there are other options for using the film:

• Protective PE is used to pack a large number of goods that are transported later.
• Shrink wrap is used to pack various products before selling. Such material has a memory effect, it can shrink under the influence of high temperature.
• In the agricultural industry, PE is used for greenhouses and greenhouses, for covering the land.
• In the construction industry, the film allows you to protect furniture and interiors during renovation work. Roofing PEs are laid for waterproofing. And also the film serves as a wind protection. It can be used in the manufacture of thermal insulation.
• The basis for a variety of bags and bags.
• It is used in production for packaging raw materials and finished products.
• In everyday life for storing food and a variety of things.
• Can be used for wind protection in a gazebo or any other building. It is enough just to cover several sides with this material.

The widespread use of plastic wrap explains its popularity. In the kitchen, everyone has this kind of food packaging material. In houses, the film is kept in case of renovation to protect furniture and things. In summer cottages, it is worth keeping rolls in case you have to cover the ground or update greenhouses. The versatility of the material allows him to come up with all the new ways of using it.

How to choose the right plastic wrap for a greenhouse at a summer cottage, you can learn from the following video.