A shrink wrap film is a material that is made up of mainly polymer plastic film. When you apply heat, it will shrink tightly over whatever it’s covering. You can apply head using a handheld heat gun (gas or electric), or you can pass the product plus film through a shrink tunnel on a conveyor.
Shrink Wrap Film Composition
- Polyolefin is the shrink wrap that is most commonly used.
- It’s available in a variety of strengths clarities, shrink ratios and thickness.
- The two primary films generally can either be noncrosslinked or crosslinked
- Other shrink wrap include Polypropylene, Polyethylene, PVC
- Laminations and coextrusions are available for particular mechanical plus barrier properties to shrink wrap food.
PVC Shrink Film
- Polyvinyl Chloride is the world’s most produced plastic.
- PVC Shrink Films aren’t used in the United States and Europe because of their adverse effect on the environment
- It used to be the most commonly used until it was replaced by polyolefin shrink wrap.
Polythene Shrink Film
- Polyethene (PE) is a kind of polyolefin, meaning that it’s a single monomer film formed with ethylene during polymerization. Polyethene is used in various flexible protective packaging forms, including shrink film.
- PE can take multiple forms, but the most common are HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), LLDPE ( Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) and LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene).
- Each of these is best used in various industrial applications. For instance, for shrink packaging, Low-Density Polyethylene would be the most popular form.
- The benefits of using Low-Density Polyethylene over other shrink packaging forms is added strength plus durability for items that are large and heavy such as multipacks of beverages. Also, these films are printable, and they can have great graphics added and still maintain the strength and image needed.
- Where Polyolefin shrink and PVC shrink film are limited in thickness of the gauge to usually about 100 gauge, higher PE gauges are possible to a maximum of 1200 gauge. Marine industrial applications use these thicknesses; for example, shrink-wrapping boats for storage.
- Polythene shrink film disadvantages are that it does not have a high rate of shrinking, normally 20 percent, and it also has significantly lower clarity compared to the other films.
Shrink Wrap Machines
Choosing what shrink wrap equipment, you will use is important to the overall packaging operation end result. There is an extensive range of shrink wrap systems that are available tailored for varying items as well as budget. When you are trying to look for a perfect machine for shrink wrapping that is going to meet your packaging requirements, you should consider the following points:
- Material to be Wrapped – Fragile objects require a heavy-duty film unlike those that aren’t.
- Speed – Machines that are automated fully render results quicker, whereas manual shrink wrappers will take more time to produce results.
- System – Not every shrink wrap system is designed for integrated packaging operations plus add-on systems the way conveyors are.
- Size – The machines plus applicators come in various sizes, thus choose a size that is going to fit your good.
- Workspace Limitations – Machines that can accommodate large items need more space.
Regardless of the application, you should know your options will help you save money. It is always good connecting with a supplier who can answer your questions before buying a shrink wrap. You have to know the custom packaging solutions that will match your needs for protection, efficiency and visual presentation.