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Metallized Films

Metallized films are based on metals like aluminum attached to flexible plastic films. These films have one side metallized and one side sealable. Metallized films are designed to reflect the light where one needs to control thrip and other pests that carry disease. Along with this role of keeping away the pest, metallized films will support combustion if ignited.

Metallized films use vacuum sputtering techniques to coat a dielectric film with a metal composition. They also tend to be self-healing, in that a high voltage arc will vaporize the metal deposit but will be contained by the dielectric, such that the damage remains localized. Metallized films are made of neutral tones, therefore when anyone looking through these films, gets true color perception. They offer higher heat rejection figures. Also metallized films do not fade or discolor with time.

Metalized Plastic Film- Advantages

Metalized plastic film can be defined as a type of lamination material which is finished by plating a very thin layer of aluminum its surface. The layer of aluminum metal is put on the metalized plastic film through vacuum metallization. In vacuum metallization, aluminum is melted into vapor at very high temperature in vacuum state. This aluminum vapor is then deposited on the surface of the plastic film. These specially manufactured metalized plastic films are widely used in various industries such as food packaging industry where food packaging laminates have become quite popular for take-away food, tea, coffee etc; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics packaging among others. Some of the advantages of metallized plastic films are listed below.

• The shiny appearance of metalized plastic film is ideal for decorative packaging to attract customers.
• These metalized films can also be used as an alternative to aluminum foil to cut on packaging costs.
• Metalized plastic films have such properties as air-resistance, moistrure-resistance, and resistance to water vapor and oxygen. They also resist UV rays and infrared rays that can prolong the shelf life of the products within.
• The fragrance of the packed material is not lost when metalized plastic film is used.
• The aluminum layer on the outer surface of the metalized film has good conductivity which eliminates electrostatic effect providing fine sealing ability.

Popular Types of Metalized Films

There are many types of metalized films. From among these, the Vacuum Metalized PET film (VMPET) and Vacuum Metalized CPP films (VMCPP) are the most popular ones. Vacuum metalized PET film is generally used as the middle layer in lamination packaging. Due to its shiny decorative appearance, it is also used in top grade packaging like those of milk powder and tea. Vacuum metalized CPP film is commonly used as thermal sealing layer in lamination packaging for such products as biscuits.

Manufacturing of Metallized Films

To make metallized films, film is first drawn through a vacuum chamber with a hot metal ingot. An electromagnetic field directs streams of ions toward the metal as the heat causes the metal to give up particles, which then migrate onto the film’s surface. The result is a reflective layer with very little mirror effect. Finally an ultra clear polymer layer is laminated on that and the hard coating of materials like acrylic is applied. This finally gives out the quality metallized films.

Metallized films can be of various metals including aluminum, chromium, or a combination of nickel and chromium. Metallized films are available in two version, Metallized polypropylene film and Metallized polyester film.

Metalized Polyester Film

Metallic polyester film is manufactured through micro slitting process so that it may have consistent weight and uniform coating. It is suitable for flexible lamination and holograms. Metallic polyester film is widely used as twist wraps for candies. Some of its other uses include decoration, color-coding, cueing, and splicing etc.

Aluminum Metalized Film

These metallized films has highly consistent optical density. It acts as a barrier to moisture and light, with superior heat sealing properties. These metallized films are highly craze and crack resistant.

Nickel-Chromium Metallized Films

Nickel-Chromium Films films does not contain any dyes that can fade or turn purple. These are clean looking neutral color films that are virtually invisible, blending well with all exterior and interior color schemes. They are extremely durable and are resistant to fading, cracking, peeling, delaminating and discoloration.

Metallized Plastic Films

In the category of metallized plastic films metallized polyester films, ultra clear metallized films, metallized CPP films and metallized BOPP films are covered. The metallized plastic films differ in optical density and microns. Metallized plastic films are used as barrier to moisture, gases, light etc.

Metallized Films Applications

Metallized films are used for extrusion and adhesive laminations. Recommended for most moisture and light sensitive products, such as salty snacks, fruits, candy, and baked goods. Metallized films can also be used as aluminum foil replacement in three-ply laminations cold seal coated. They are widely used for food packaging. Some of the packaging products made out of metalized films are as follows:

• Food packaging laminates
• Pharma packaging materials
• Aluminum foils
• Aluminum scrap
• Aluminum sheet
• Cosmetic packaging etc.