What exactly is metalized film?

Polymer films can be “metallized” or coated with a tiny layer of metal, usually aluminium. They’re lightweight and inexpensive but give you the same metallic look as aluminium foil. Metallic films are widely used for ornamental purposes, food packaging, and their specific uses in insulation and electronics. The high-quality metalized film is getting from China Bopp film suppliers.

Production method

Physical vapour deposition is utilized to achieve metallization. Aluminium is the most commonly used metal for deposit, but nickel and chromium are occasionally used. In a vacuum, the metal is evaporated at high temperatures. This condenses on the unwound, excellent polymer film close to the source of the metal vapour. This coating is approximately 0.5 micrometres thick, considerably thinner than metal foil. This finish is impervious to fading and discolouration. In addition to P.E.T. and orientated polypropylene, nylon, polyethene, and cast polypropylene are also metallized.

Feature

Metallized films are highly combustible despite their reflective silvery surface that resembles aluminium foil. The coating reduces the film’s light-, water-, and oxygen-permeability. The film retains its original characteristics, such as increased durability, heat-sealing capability, and reduced film density, at a lower price than aluminium foil. This is one manner in which metallized films are superior to aluminium foil and laminates. Metalized films were intended to supplant aluminium foil laminates, but they cannot offer the same level of protection. The currently available EVOH-based high-barrier metallized films are not priced competitively compared to foil laminates.

Application

Decking

Metallic filaments are used to construct a balloon.

Metallic films have a long history of decorative use, dating back to their introduction as Christmas tinsel and continuing to the present day in gift wrap and ribbon applications. Commonly known as novelty balloons, commercial Mylar balloons filled with helium and made from metallized BoPET are filled with helium.

Electronics

Some antistatic bag variants are made from metallized films, and the films are utilized as a dielectric in creating a particular form of capacitor used in electronic circuits.

Internment

Spacesuits worn by NASA astronauts and “proximity suits” worn by firefighters are made from metallized P.E.T. films to deflect heat radiation and keep their wearers warm. Emergency blankets made of aluminized materials (“space blankets”) are also used to keep shock patients warm. Although M.P.E.T. is not the insulator itself, it has been utilized as an antistatic container for other heat and sound-insulating Insulation sealants are used in aeroplanes to stop cold air from seeping into the cabin.

Wrapping

Snack foods, coffee, and candies are no longer packaged in aluminium foil laminates because they do not require the metal’s superior barrier. The meat export sector utilizes metalized nylon and polyethene. The permeation is controlled, thereby extending the expiration life.

Metalized film susceptors are utilized in microwave appliances. A microwave popcorn container functions as an example.

For aesthetic reasons, many food items are packaged in metallized films, providing a package with more shimmer than printed paper or polymer films.

PET METAL (also known as M.P.E.T. or PET MET)

P.E.T. met is an aluminium powder-infused polyester. P.E.T. film, or polyester film, is noted for its extreme rigidity and excellent tensile strength due to its inherent chemical composition. The beneficial qualities can be enhanced even further by adding aluminium powder, especially in diffusion density. China Metalized Bopet film manufacturers provide the best quality M.P.E.T.

Using P.E.T. film metallized with aluminium grains against regular aluminium foil has its benefits and drawbacks. The most notable benefits of P.E.T. met are its increased tensile strength and decreased production costs. Compared to traditional aluminium foil, the composite material made from vaporized aluminium may work at much higher speeds.

As a result, applications for P.E.T. met (metallized polyester film) include:

Foods that spoil quickly when exposed to oxygen or moisture must be stored in airtight containers.

pockets hanging down

How well insulation performs as a vapour barrier.

Vehicles and other mobile technology benefit from labels and adhesives that can withstand extreme temperatures and chemicals.

Theoretically, P.E.T. met a composite material consisting of a wafer-thin aluminium layer. A P.E.T. film could have oxygen diffusion values of less than 0.5 cm3/m2/d and water vapour diffusion values of less than 0.3 g/m2/d at a thickness of 10 m. When calculating the absolute diffusion density, these values are already very near to the measurement limitations above.

However, regular aluminium or another metal foil is required to obtain an absolute diffusion density.

Compared to a laminated composite material, P.E.T. met with aluminium covering only has its diffusion, optical, and electrical properties altered. The P.E.T. film has maintained its low specific weight and high strength ratings.

Typical uses of metal-coated P.E.T. film

Metallic P.E.T. film can replace aluminium foil in the packaging business. Vaporizing P.E.T. met results in a composite material that is less wrinkled than aluminium foil of the same thickness due to P.E.T. met’s better tensile strength and flexural rigidity.

This could improve the product’s visual appeal. Despite this, twist-closure (film ends twisted together) candy packets can be made from metallized P.E.T. film.

However, aluminium foil has the benefit over P.E.T. met film in some storage containers due to its absolute diffusion density and opacity. As a result, P.E.T. met film is not as safe to use as an aluminium foil for storing perishable items. Therefore, P.E.T. met film is preferable for packing meals that must be consumed quickly after being packaged.

Metallized P.E.T. film expands the possibilities for food packaging since the ultra-thin metal coating alters the film’s electrical conductivity. This makes P.E.T. acceptable for packaging microwaveable foods with minimum water content and increases their detectability by metal detectors.

Aluminium vaporization has potential insulating properties due to its diffusion resistance and ability to reflect heat radiation. P.E.T. met outperforms aluminium foil in terms of mechanical strength. However, it needs to be more reflective and provide an airtight seal.

Benefits

The metalization of polyester films makes them an excellent oxygen and moisture barrier. The film’s barrier properties are checked before it leaves the Terphane plants. All Terphane metallized polyester films undergo extensive quality assurance testing before leaving the plant. While aluminium laminated packaging frequently suffers from flex fractures and pinholes, these issues are significantly mitigated in metallized film, which is also more resistant to damage from handling. Terphane uses state-of-the-art inspection tools to guarantee the security of its metallization process.

Terphane currently offers a selection of aluminium-free packaging choices to commercial clients. Different methods and items can meet everything from essential aesthetic criteria to advanced practical specifications.

Brand owners can benefit from using pouches constructed from metallized polyester films. The metallized film is more space-efficient than aluminium packaging due to its lower density. The enhanced shelf-ready look, increased shelf life, and logistic and environmental benefits of metallized films contribute to their rising value as production methods and materials improve.