Breathable
film has today emerged as a very popular packaging material. Breathable
films are produced by compounding a PP or PE resin with mineral filler.
The film is then stretched mono or bi axially to create micro pores in
the cast film. In a subsequent process this breathable film can be
laminated with a nonwoven web using adhesive or a point-bonding calendar
to produce a soft, textile like composite. Breathable films, the ability
of extruded films to allow the gases to escape, but retain the larger
water molecules, inhibiting the dehydration process.
Characteristics
- The film offers high strength and high resistance to puncture.
- They are flame retardant and provide UV stability.
- They provide additional comfort without reducing the barrier
properties of the film.
- They extend shelf life by limiting oxygen supply, slowing the
live product’s respiration rate, and thus retarding spoilage.
- They have excellent resistance to hydrolysis and remarkable
mechanical strength.
Applications
They are widely used for roofing applications in the construction
industry. They are also used for sanitary articles. They are also
required in the medical industry for bandages, wound dressings, surgical
drapes, and gown fabrication. They are also used in textile industry.
They are utilized for cost-effective tack bonding, combination tack
bonding and lamination, for lamination, or for surface modification.
Breathable films and packaging
One common use for such films is to make packaging materials. Salad
mixes and other vegetables can be packaged in breathable films tailored
to their respiration rates for a couple of years. Packaging materials
are available in varied forms like packaging pouches, packaging rolls,
packaging bags which can be used for packing vegetables and fruits so as
to keep them fresh and hygienic. Retailers have nowadays gone for
increased use of breathable films for packaging.
