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An Up-Close Look At The Different Types Of Film Testing

Take a stroll through your local grocery store and you will see all kinds of plastic film. You probably have several products around your home that have some kind of plastic film inside. Film made out of plastic serves an array of different purposes, and these films have to go through rigorous testing before they are put to use. 

The film can be tested for thickness. 

Obtaining a precise thickness measurement for plastic films is important for a few reasons. While most plastic film manufacturers have a good idea already of the thickness of the plastic produced, they still often need to have a third-party test done to ensure uniformity of the film. Machines to test the thickness of plastic film are used by testing facilities to ensure every last section comes in at a precise measurement. 

The film can be tested for pressure resistance. 

Pressure resistance is another important attribute to be tested in plastic films, especially those that are used in certain applications. Perhaps the most widely known reason the plastic film is tested for pressure resiliency or sensitivity is when the film will be used as product packaging. However, other forms of plastic film have to be tested for pressure resilience as well, such as: 

  • Plastic window films used to tint or treat the glass
  • Plastic films used in vehicle components
  • Plastic film used in electronics to protect components

The film can be tested for waterproofing capabilities. 

Some types of plastic films are used for waterproofing purposes. For example, the plastic film may be used to protect certain components in an HVAC system to prevent problems with corrosion due to moisture. When films are used to thwart moisture and protect components from water, it is necessary that the film is professionally tested for water resiliency in a laboratory. The companies that use the film for their own manufacturing processes will usually want to see the testing results of any film that they are considering using as a supply. 

The film can be tested for resilience to environmental compounds. 

When film will be used for product packaging, it is usually important to test it for resilience to certain environmental compounds. For example, film that is used to package fresh foods may have to be resilient to the compounds released by the food as it breaks down and interacts with oxygen. The typical goal of a lot of plastic film packaging is to thwart oxygen levels so the fresh food inside is better protected and preserved. 

Get in touch with a company that offers plastic film testing services to learn more.


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