The most common types of packaging are made of plastic film. Popular bag-shirts and materials for wrapping products are made from it. However, in terms of convenience, the best option is a bag-sleeve. Its advantages include the possibility of using material of different lengths. That is, in some way, the user himself can vary the packaging parameters. At the same time, the polyethylene sleeve retains all the advantages of classic bags, which include strength, ease of handling and ensuring tightness.
Where is polyethylene sleeve used?
The film is the basis for the further manufacture of bags. Therefore, it can be called universal. The sleeve can act as a consumable in the construction sector, in the provision of catering, as well as in the household. As a rule, a plastic sleeve for packaging is used where it is supposed to work with large volumes of a product or product. For example, for packing bulk materials. The absence of pronounced seams and perforations allows you to organize automatic packaging lines, which do not require the connection of operators.
The film is used in the form of a sleeve and in specialized areas. So, there is polyethylene, originally designed for use in electrical needs. With this package you can isolate devices and devices, protect them from moisture. A polyethylene sleeve for seedlings is also common, which is subject to increased requirements in terms of environmental cleanliness.
Manufacturing technology
Again, polyethylene is initially the raw material for the manufacture of bags with handles and other specialized or household containers. The sleeve, in turn, is a derivative of the overall process for producing film material. For its manufacture using plastic granules with certain quality characteristics. In the process of melting, a polyethylene sleeve is formed for packaging in the form of a film. In the future, manufacturers can divide the roll into segments, creating a semi-finished product for a full package with handles.
In order to increase strength, manufacturers also introduce special additives, plasticizers and modifiers into the primary composition. As a result, the polyethylene sleeve gains enhanced tensile strength. Also, the process may include printing and the creation of seam inserts. But such operations are usually performed on special orders.
Characteristics
The length of the packaging is usually not fixed - the sleeve is available in one piece. As for the width, the most common formats are 20, 30 and 40 cm, although depending on the capabilities of the equipment, this size range corridor may increase. By thickness, most films fall within the range of 30-200 microns. Despite the thin structure, the polyethylene sleeve can withstand heavy loads - several tens of kilograms. It is noteworthy that materials made from recycled polyethylene have thicker layers, which leads to high strength characteristics.
The operational properties of the film
As already noted, the technical characteristics of polyethylene are determined to a large extent by additives that are introduced during the manufacturing process. In particular, sliding modifiers give the material a lower coefficient of friction. This simplifies the opening of the sleeve, gives the film a specific shine, but at the same time eliminates the static effect. Anti-blocking agents are also used specifically to prevent the internal walls of the material from sticking together. With this addition, the film not only gets rid of the sticking effect, but also acquires surface roughness. The means of providing external protection are widespread, which supplement the polyethylene film. A sleeve in the processing of which a flame retardant was used, for example, is resistant to fire. The principle of suppressing fire is realized through the introduction of silicate layered composites that form a carbon layer. As a result, a refractory barrier is formed, which also prevents the release of volatile products during combustion.
Material cost
Typically, manufacturers set prices individually, focusing on the parameters of a specific order. The cost is influenced by the dimensions of the web, and the thickness, as well as the performance properties that the plastic film is endowed with. The price of rolls with a width of 15 to 150 cm averages 180-200 rubles per 1 kg. The thickness can vary from 40 to 120 microns. A thicker film can increase the price tag by another 50 rubles. per kilogram, but here too much depends on the volume of the order.
Small-format products in the form of sleeves with a width of 6 to 15 cm are also widespread. With the help of this film, it is possible to form small packaging bags at catering enterprises. However, there are many industrial enterprises that use small-format plastic film. The price in this case is already 250-300 rubles per 1 kg. The increase in cost is due to the complexity of the process of manufacturing rolls with a small width.
Conclusion
Using a practical material made of polyethylene, it is possible to provide mechanical protection of the product and protect it from exposure to elevated temperatures with humidity. At the same time, technologists are striving to obtain new operational qualities of the material due to improved modifiers. In particular, if you plan to use a polyethylene sleeve in places exposed to sunlight, it is worth paying attention to the content of light stabilizers in the structure. So, if the film is purchased to cover the greenhouse, then the open sun will not harm the heat-resistant coating. And vice versa, to maintain elasticity and strength at low temperatures, a film should be used, which includes frost-resistant additives.