A metallized film is a material consisting of several transparent or tinted layers of a certain thickness, between which there is a microfoil. The film is used in many industrial fields, as well as for decorative purposes.
Material Features
The polyester-based metallized film is highly resistant to wear and mechanical damage. There are many shades on sale: chrome, silver, gold and so on. The material is characterized by excellent tolerance to temperature changes, the negative impact of the environment. Packaging film has a wide range of colors. Ideal for both outdoor and indoor use.
In the manufacture of packaging, metallization performs several functions:
- Ensuring light and gas permeability - protection against oxidation.
- Improving the aesthetic appearance of a product or product.
Varieties of films
As a basis for a metallized film, various materials can act:
- Polypropylene.
- Polyethylene terephthalate.
- PVC film unplasticized.
- Polyethylene.
- Polystyrene.
- Polyamide.
Combined type packaging film consists of several layers, one of which is metallized. The alternation of layers depends on the functional purpose of the product. As a rule, the outer layer protects against environmental influences and acts as the basis for printing with ink. The internal one guarantees full sealing. The middle layers serve as a kind of barrier. Metallized film, based on the type of final packaging, is divided into categories: rigid and flexible.
Flexible metallized film
A flexible film is most often represented by a single-layer metallized and multi-layer laminated membrane. It is used to pack a variety of products and non-food items. It is applied in various industries. Film with print (single-layer metallized) is ideal for wrapping a variety of confectionery, as well as ice cream. The basis is a film of polymers that does not combine with the rest of the materials used and the printed pattern. Some manufacturers apply varnish on one side of the film to preserve the image. This greatly improves the appearance of the product.
In multilayer laminated packaging, a metallized film is one of the layers. Depending on the type of wrapper, its purpose is determined. The scope of the film is packaging:
- Chocolate
- snacks;
- coffee;
- semi-finished products;
- spices;
- Confectionery
- dry mixes.
Metal based rigid film
Large thickness hard metallized films are widely used in the manufacturing process of thermoformed packaging. It can be blisters, containers for pastry, a variety of trays for food. The largest distribution of this type is decorative inserts (their second name is corrects), for example, for sweets, wafers, cookies, etc. In addition, hard-type PVC film is widely used for packaging medicinal blisters.
Another area of application of hard-type metallized films is the manufacture of trays with a high barrier (substrate) for the tight storage of fish and meat. A method of manufacturing - molding at high temperature from a film based on polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, as well as polyethylene and PVC. When storing a perishable product in such a tray in a vacuum or gas environment, long-term preservation of all useful properties of the product is guaranteed.
In addition to the use of a single-layer metallized film as packaging in the food industry, it is used in printing, the production of capacitors, for the manufacture of advertising materials and decorative Christmas decorations, as well as an auxiliary thermal insulation material.
Polypropylene film
The widely used metallized polypropylene film is distinguished by its glossy gloss, durability, transparency and a high degree of elasticity. In addition, the polypropylene film perfectly blocks odors, acts as a dielectric and protects against gas and vapor. It is made by co-extrusion method with the application of a special copolymer layer that provides the ability to weld. It happens metallized, pearlescent or white.
Stickers and films for printing
Self-adhesive metallized film is an excellent way to decorate transparent substrates. The maximum effect is created due to the metal coating on both sides, which intensely shines. Such materials are matte, embossed, glossy, as well as structural. There are many color options for self-adhesive film:
- matte finish;
- copper;
- glossy gold;
- glossy chrome;
- Red and blue;
- lilac and pink;
- green and blue;
- "Scratched" silver.
The metallized film for printing also has a shiny surface. The design can be either transparent or opaque, the base is polyester. An additional coating is applied to the base, which consists of several layers, thanks to which the film can be used for various types of printing and to improve its effect.
Scope - advertising, plotter cutting, offset printing of ultraviolet or silk-screen type, room decoration, printing labels and plates. The film is widely used for the manufacture of split characters and stickers, often used as a decor for transparent substrates.