Film Properties & Facts

Question 1

Least expensive film type

Answer 1

Polyethylene (PE)

Question 2

Sealable at low temps. Strong seals. Little heat resistance.

Answer 2

Polyethylene (PE)

Question 3

Has a moisture barrier, but little oxygen barrier

Answer 3

Polyethylene (PE)

Question 4

Also commonly used as a sealant for film laminations

Answer 4

Polyethylene (PE)

Question 5

What range of thicknesses can Polyethylene (PE) be produced at?

Answer 5

Less than 1 mil up to 6-7 mill

Question 6

Polyethylene (PE) can be monolayer or coextruded to save costs. True or false?

Answer 6

True. More expensive resins can be added only where needed in part of the final film.

Question 7

_____, also called Mylar which is the DuPont Trade name.

Answer 7

Polyester (PET)

Question 8

_____ offers both Oxygen and Chemical barrier properties

Answer 8

Polyester (PET)

Question 9

Thermally stable. Not inherently sealable, but can be coated. Easily processed because it can take a lot of heat.

Answer 9

Polyester (PET)

Question 10

_____ has a melt temp of ~475-509 degrees F

Answer 10

Polyester (PET)

Question 11

_____, _____ & _____ are not extensible

Answer 11

Polyester (PET), Oriented Polypropylene, oriented Polyamide

Question 12

Excellent puncture resistance when compared to other films such as PET or OPP (ex. Crab claw packaging). Most often used for puncture resistance.

Answer 12

Polyamide - Oriented (PA, OPA, BON)

Question 13

Most often used for oxygen and aroma barrier

Answer 13

Polyamide - Oriented (PA, OPA, BON)

Question 14

Confused with PET, but softer to the touch, not sealable, typically very thin.

Answer 14

Polyamide - Oriented (PA, OPA, BON)

Question 15

Offers moisture and grease barrier

Answer 15

Cast Polypropylene (CPP)

Question 16

Can be confused with polyethylene (PE). Much better clarity, more heat resistance

Answer 16

Cast Polypropylene (CPP)

Question 17

Polyester (PET) can tear easily. True or false?

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Is Polyester (PET) easy to print? Why?

Answer 18

Yes due to naturally high surface energy - Dyne level.

Question 19

Offers moisture and grease barrier

Answer 19

Polypropylene (OPP, BOPP) - cast or oriented

Question 20

Seal properties not as strong as PE, but very common in snack food where the package is intended to be opened on the go.

Answer 20

Oriented Polypropylene (OPP, BOPP)
- CPP or Cast Polypropylene is more similar to PE

Question 21

Used when you want “ears” to tack in a lamination

Answer 21

Oriented Polypropylene (OPP, BOPP)

Question 22

List 1-6, in order, of film meltability with 1 being the least meltable

Answer 22

1. PET (doesn’t melt)
2. Nylon
3. OPP
4. CPP
5. HDPE
6. LLDPE

Question 23

Best moisture barrier properties

Answer 23

Oriented Polypropylene

Question 24

Worst moisture vapor transmission rate

Answer 24

Polyamide (nylon)

Question 25

Best for oxygen transmission (best barrier)

Answer 25

EVOH (?). Next is Nylon

Question 26

Worst for oxygen transmission (best barrier)

Answer 26

HDPE. Next worse (aside from other PE) is CPP and OPP

Question 27

_____ and _____ are enhancements that can be made to improve barrier properties if a film

Answer 27

Metallization and Saran

Question 28

Top 4 considerations when engineering a package

Answer 28

1. Protection (shelf life and Strength)
2. Aesthetics
3. Machinability
4. Cost