How To Use Shrink Film For Added Security

Shrink Film - a material made up of polymer plastic film. When heat is applied it shrinks tightly over whatever it is covering. There are a variety of uses for Shrink wrap and shrink film. Some common uses of shrink wrap are for wrapping food, gift baskets, boxes, toys, books, soaps, etc. Shrink film can be printed on when being wrapped. Most common use of Shrink Wrap Film is the security. It has been proven it that can provide advanced security over transported goods.

Heat-shrinkable materials (more specifically thermoset parts) are made primarily from polyethylene of low or high pressure of the geometrical shape, after which they will shrink, and then they are subjected to chemical or radiation exposure (modification). Thus from the linear polymer molecules are cleaved hydrogen atoms and molecules are cross-linked to each other to form a rubbery network structure. The product was then heated to the melting temperature of the starting material (in the form of heated, it becomes a soft, elastic, but due to the modification, does not melt) and hot deformed (stretched, compressed, and so forth.) To the desired size and shape, then cooled to room temperature. The resulting item gets "shape memory", and reheat in a free state regains its original geometry.

There are a number of polymers, which are made of heat-shrinkable materials and their properties determine the properties of a particular product that make shrink film ideal for security transportation and storage. In addition to polyethylene and polyolefin polymers group are made from polyvinylidene (PVDF, Kynar), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, polyester), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fluorine rubber and other more exotic materials, which give new and unique properties of the tubes: Resistance high temperature, oil, acids, alkalis, chlorofluorocarbons, and so on. Operating temperature range heat-shrinkable articles, depending on the material may be in the range from 260 ° C to + -60ºS. The most common tube of polyolefin has a standard operating temperature of -50 ° C to + 125 ° C

Below is a breakdown of the two most commonly used types of shrink wrap.

PVC Shrink Film - A type of shrink wrap used for a variety of applications. The PVC stands for Polyvinyl chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most produced plastic in the world. PVC shrink wrap was the most commonly used shrink film, until replaced several years ago by polyolefin (POF) shrink wrap.

Common Uses of PVC Shrink Film

PVC shrink wrap uses include: shrink film for security, packaging boxes, CD and DVD packaging, software, small canisters, and other non-edible items. PVC Shrink film is also works very well with automated machines.

Drawbacks of PVC Shrink Film for security- Sealing Strength, storage issues, and sealing by-products are common drawbacks of PVC Shrink Wrap. The plasticizer in PVC Shrink wrap hardens in cold conditions and softens under hot conditions, therefore compromising the strength of the seal and the plastic. PVC shrink wrap also releases small quantities of hydrogen Chloride into the air and carbon deposits onto the sealer. Proper ventilation is required when sealing PVC shrink wrap.

Polyolefin Shrink Film - A type of shrink wrap that has become the preferred choice for packaging products both edible and non-edible. Polyolefin Shrink wrap is preferred for a variety of reasons including: fewer odors when sealed, stronger seal, and more flexible storage. Polyolefin shrink films do not have any chlorine; therefore they do not produce hydrogen chloride gas. Polyolefin shrink wrap does not have any plasticizers, so temperature is not an issue. Polyolefin can be stored in a wide range of temperatures and does not harden and soften in different environments like PVC shrink film.

Common Uses of Polyolefin Shrink Film - Polyolefin shrink film is used for almost every kind of application. Applications include: Sending tamper proof shrinks wrap products like toys, sporting goods, printed wrap, foods, stationary and cards just to name a few.

Drawbacks of Polyolefin Shrink Film - Cost and machine compatibility are the two major drawbacks of Polyolefin shrink film. Polyolefin is commonly more expensive than PVC shrink wrap. Many packagers prefer PVC because of this reason. There are types of polyolefin shrink wraps that are more compatible with machines, but Polyolefin machine compatibility has been an issue of packagers.