Attributes and Applications: Polyester Film

Polyester film is a type of plastic polymer that offers an array of characteristics, making it incredibly versatile for a wide variety of applications. This material isn’t just available in sheets and fibers either; it can also be stretched into a thin film that provides tons of potential benefits in a number of industries. 

If you’re looking for plastic film products and want to learn more about your options, here’s a guide to the factors that set polyester films apart. 

Attributes of Polyester Film

Polyester film is sometimes also called PET film, which stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate. The material is a type of thermoplastic, which means it can be formed and manipulated when a specific type of heat is applied. The polymer can also take a number of different forms, from amorphous to crystalline. Depending on its processing, it may even come in a mixture of both of these forms. 

In most cases, polyester film comes in a clear coat and a glossy finish. However, it can also be made with other visual finishes like matte, hazy, or no masking. The surface can also be modified to match specific textures, whether you’re looking for a very smooth or very rough finish. 

On a practical level, polyester film is known for offering optical clarity, physical and mechanical strength, and thermal and chemical stability. Basically, it can be made to each user’s exact specifications. And then it holds that form in nearly any environment, even when extreme temperature shifts or chemical exposure are in play. 

Polyester film is available from a number of top industry manufacturers. So it is sometimes also referred to by its specific brand names, including MYLAR®, MELINEX®, reflex™, Autoflex®, and Sarafil. 

Applications of Polyester Film

Polyester film material is an ideal choice for a wide array of applications due to its visual versatility and physical characteristics. For instance, it is often used in packaging, ID cards, and printed electronics.  

More specifically, polyester film can be used in all kinds of packaging, since it can take both firm and flexible forms. However, it is especially popular when it comes to food and beverage packaging because it is a food safe material. In fact, it is even available in grades meant to comply with specific food and beverage industry regulations, including FDA, USDA, 3A-Dairy, and Canada AG.

When it comes to ID cards, polyester film offers optical clarity that allows the images, text, and graphics to remain clearly visible. And the various finishing options allow users to select the ideal look for their cards. However, the material also provides a tough surface that is able to hold up in a variety of environments. 

Printed electronics can utilize plastic film in a variety of capacities. And since polyester film is so versatile, it can come in handy in the production of multiple components. For example, it may be used to craft flexible circuits, membrane touch switches, and even printed electronics displays. 

These are just a few of the popular use cases for polyester film. PET is also commonly used in the production of face shields, medical devices, capacitors, motor films, wires and cables, labels, and imaging media.

Benefits of Polyester Film

Polyester film offers an array of visual and practical benefits for a variety of industries. Visually, PET is especially well known for providing superb optical clarity, which is especially beneficial when it comes to covering ID cards or display products. It’s available in an array of textures and finishes depending on the needs of each user. But it also provides anti-glare and anti-fog properties in nearly all of these options. 

On a more physical level, polyester film offers a high level of stability. It has a number of heat stabilization characteristics and offers low shrinkage in an array of environments. It is also resistant to many chemical applications. So basically, the film holds its form extremely well in nearly any conditions. 

This chemical resistance also allows PET film to benefit from the application of various chemical treatments for specific uses. These may help to improve adhesions to various coatings, inks, and adhesives. 

Since polyester film is so popular in the packaging industry, it’s also worth mentioning its food safe qualities as a benefit. The material doesn’t contaminate food or beverages with chemicals or other harmful materials. So it’s available in FDA, USDA, 3A-Dairy, and Canada AG compliant grades. 

Additionally, polyester film is known for being one of the most environmentally friendly plastic films available. It is a thermoplastic engineered film, so its form can be changed with various levels of heat. This allows it to easily be recycled and used again, which can dramatically reduce the need for new raw materials and high energy output for manufacturing. 

If you’re ready to benefit from the use of PET or polyester film, contact PolymerFilms today. We offer this material in a variety of materials, gauges, and sizes from top brands in the plastics industry. We also have access to in-house conversion equipment, which allows us to convert film products to suit the specific needs of your application, whether you’re looking for ID card protection or custom packaging solutions. In fact, we work with customers in a huge array of industries, so our team has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you find the film products most relevant to your specific needs. We also have five distribution centers spread throughout North America, which allows our team to provide personalized service and fast quotes and turnaround times. When you’re ready to discuss your plastic film needs or order polyester film for your applications, simply visit our website to request a free consultation.