PE film stands for Polyethylene film. It is a type of plastic film made from polyethylene, which is a versatile and widely used polymer. PE film is known for its flexibility, durability, and wide range of applications in packaging, agriculture, construction, and other industries.
PE film offers versatility, strength, and moisture resistance, and is widely used for packaging and various industrial applications. It provides excellent physical flexibility and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for sealant layers and mono-material structures.
Versatile Packaging Material
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ |
| Usage Temperature | -60℃ ~ 100℃ |
| Common Thickness | 25μm ~ 200μm |
NIAITE offers various PE film types to meet different packaging requirements.
Polyethylene can be classified into various types based on the polymerization method, molecular weight, and different chain structures.
Properties: Odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, with a non-glossy surface and milky-white waxy particles. Density approximately 0.920 g/cm³, melting point 108°C to 126°C.
Applications: Agricultural film, industrial packaging film, pharmaceutical and food packaging film, mechanical parts, daily necessities, construction materials, wire and cable insulation, coatings, and synthetic paper.
Properties: Due to significantly different molecular structures, LLDPE exhibits distinct properties compared to LDPE. It possesses excellent environmental stress crack resistance, electrical insulation properties, higher heat resistance, impact resistance, and puncture resistance.
Applications: Production of films, daily necessities, pipes, wires, cables, and other applications.
Properties: A thermoplastic plastic with higher density and strength compared to LDPE.
Applications: Production of thin film products, daily necessities, various sizes of hollow containers for industrial use, pipes, rolling belts and strapping for packaging, ropes, fishing nets, braided fibers, wires, cables, and more.
Properties: Refers to a collective term for polyethylene with a molecular weight of over 1 million.
Applications: Primarily used in advanced fields such as plastic modification, pipes, high-strength sheets, fibers, and other high-end applications.
Polyethylene (PE) film is generally produced using two main methods: blow molding and cast extrusion.
The blown film refers to a plastic processing technique where plastic particles are heated, melted, and then blown into a thin film. Typically, this process involves extruding a polymer into a tubular film shape. In a favorable molten state, the tube is inflated to the desired thickness using high-pressure air and, after cooling and solidification, becomes a thin film.
Advantage: PE produced by the blow molding process has a lower cost, making it the most widely used.
Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) is a thin film material produced through the cast extrusion process, primarily using linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) as the main raw material. The cast extrusion process involves heating, melting, and plasticizing a polymer, which is then extruded through a die. Under the action of traction, it undergoes stretching and, after cooling and solidification on cast rollers, forms the cast extrusion film.
Note: The cast extrusion polyethylene film has uniform thickness, but due to its higher cost, it is rarely used.
PE film is one of the most commonly used materials in packaging, offering comprehensive benefits.
PE film has excellent transparency, allowing ample light transmission and a favorable lighting environment. It is suitable for applications such as greenhouse covering materials and packaging.
PE film exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and is not easily corroded by chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and salts. Therefore, in certain special environments, PE film can act as a protective barrier, extending its lifespan.
It has high heat resistance and is capable of withstanding usage in high-temperature environments without melting or deformation. The applicable temperature range is -70°C to 150°C, with a melting point of 260°C and a softening point of 230-240°C.
PE film demonstrates good cold resistance, maintaining flexibility even in frigid environments. It is suitable for freezer packaging.
It is a lightweight material with high strength, resisting easy breakage. It possesses a certain degree of toughness and elasticity, making it suitable for packaging and strapping applications.
The smooth surface of PE film is resistant to wear, ensuring a longer lifespan through good abrasion resistance.
PE film has good interference resistance, remaining unaffected by external factors such as waterproofing, dust resistance, and antistatic properties. It can meet the diverse requirements of different application scenarios.
PE film exhibits good plasticity, making it easy to process into various shapes of film products, such as bags and film rolls. It is widely used in various fields.
PE film is an environmentally friendly material that can be recycled, with low energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, causing no pollution to the environment.
The production process of PE film is simple, and the raw material cost is relatively low, making it more cost-effective compared to other film materials. It is also easy for large-scale production.
While PE film has many advantages, it also has some limitations to consider.
Prolonged heating should be avoided, as it may lead to decomposition and scorching. Avoid contact with organic solvents to prevent fracture.
The shrinkage range and value are significant, and the film has noticeable directionality, making it prone to deformation. Slow cooling speed is advisable, and molds should have cooling channels with a cooling system.
As a highly prevalent plastic product, PE film finds extensive applications in modern industry and daily life.
One of the most common applications of PE film is in the packaging industry. Due to its excellent physical flexibility and cost-effectiveness, it is widely used in the production of packaging bags, cling film, bubble wrap, air cushion bags, and more. Moreover, PE film plays an irreplaceable role in food packaging. It not only helps maintain the freshness and nutritional content of food but also possesses excellent transparency and moisture resistance, providing consumers with a better visual experience and quality assurance.
In the agricultural sector, PE film is playing an increasingly crucial role. It provides excellent protection and a conducive growth environment for crops. For example, PE film covering fruit trees can shield fruits from wind, rain, and pests, thereby enhancing yield and quality. Additionally, PE film is utilized in the construction of agricultural greenhouses, crop covers, compost covers, and more, contributing to increased agricultural production efficiency and ecological benefits.
In addition to its applications in packaging and agriculture, PE film is widely used in the construction industry. For instance, adding PE film on the waterproof layer of roofs and ground can effectively ensure the dryness and stability of the building structure. Integrating PE materials into thermal insulation layers can also efficiently prevent heat loss, contributing to energy conservation and emission reduction. Furthermore, PE film finds use in the creation of isolation layers, landscape covers, and protective walls.
PE film also has extensive applications in the medical field. For example, in environments like operating rooms, doctors use instruments with plastic film to ensure cleanliness and hygiene during surgeries. Additionally, PE film is used in the packaging of certain medical instruments to enhance product durability and protection.
According to the Circular Economy Design Guide by the European Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging organization (CEFLEX), the term "single PE material" primarily refers to a single polyolefin material, specifically either single polypropylene (PP) or single polyethylene (PE), with a weight ratio exceeding 90%.
Other barrier components, such as SiOx, AlOx, aluminum coating, and EVOH, are allowed in a maximum weight ratio of 5%. Currently, this definition is widely accepted within the industry. According to analysis from the Smithers research report, currently, the main types of single-material plastic packaging films include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and recycled cellulose fiber (RCF). Among them, the dominant players in the market are PE and PP, accounting for 50% and 41.7% of the global market share of single-material plastic films, respectively.
The application scope of PE film is extremely broad, and in the future, with continuous technological progress and increasing attention to environmental protection and sustainability, PE film is poised to have even broader and more profound prospects for applications.
PE film serves various critical roles in flexible packaging structures.
Most laminated pouches use PE as the inner sealing layer for reliable heat seals, ensuring product protection and freshness.
Used in recyclable mono-PE solutions where all layers are PE-based, supporting circular economy and sustainability goals.
Various PE grades are used for shrink, stretch and protective films, offering versatility for different packaging needs.
Contact our team with your product requirements, barrier needs, and packaging specifications.
Our experts will recommend the optimal PE structure (PE/PE or PET/PE) for your application based on your specific requirements.
We'll produce your custom PE-based packaging and ship it to your location worldwide.
Explore our flexible packaging solutions that utilize PE film for superior performance and appearance.
Stand-up pouches with PE heat seal layer.
Spout pouches with PE for flexible sealing.
Vacuum pouches with PE/PE structure.
Frozen food packaging with PE structure.
Household product pouches with PE heat seal.
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Contact Us for Custom SolutionsCommon questions about PE film properties, applications, and selection for flexible packaging.
PE (Polyethylene) film is a versatile packaging material known for its excellent heat sealability, flexibility, and moisture barrier. Its main advantages include good flexibility, excellent seal strength, good moisture barrier, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for various packaging applications.
PE-based packaging is ideal for products requiring flexible sealing and moisture protection. Common applications include stand-up pouches, spout pouches, vacuum packaging, frozen foods, household products, and products requiring good seal integrity and flexibility.
LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) offers good flexibility and clarity, while LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) provides better strength, puncture resistance, and seal performance. LLDPE is often preferred for demanding applications requiring enhanced durability and seal integrity.
PE can be used alone for simple applications requiring only moisture barrier, but is commonly combined with other materials (like PET, NY, BOPP, or AL) in multi-layer structures to achieve enhanced barrier properties, stiffness, and printability. The structure selection depends on your specific requirements.
Common PE film thicknesses include 50μm, 60μm, 70μm, 80μm, and 100μm. The selection depends on your specific application requirements, barrier needs, and cost considerations. Thicker films provide enhanced barrier and durability for demanding applications.
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