Large size plastic films used in the construction industry
Plastic film is a polymeric material, which has numerous applications in human life, especially in the construction industry. However, many people do not know what plastic film is, how to produce them. Refer to the article below, for more information about plastic films as well as their common uses.
What is plastic film?
Plastic film is a thin polymer material, thicker plastic material is called "plastic sheet". These thin plastic films are used to separate areas, to contain items, and to act as a barrier or as a surface layer.
Plastic films have many different applications including: packaging, plastic bags, labels, used in the construction industry, construction, buildings, landscaping, power generation, photographic film, video tapes...
Appeared in the late 1800s, until now, this product has undergone many improvements, creating many different types of plastic films.
Plastic films have many different applications including: packaging, plastic bags, labels, used in the construction industry, construction, buildings, landscaping, power generation, photographic film, video tapes...
Appeared in the late 1800s, until now, this product has undergone many improvements, creating many different types of plastic films.
Plastic film production process
There are 4 most popular ways to produce plastic film today: Vacuum forming, Injection molding, Extrusion molding and Blow molding.
Blow molding
Blow molding is a manufacturing technique used to create hollow parts of plastic by inflating a heated plastic tube inside a mold, until it forms the desired shape.
Production process:
Mold setting: Small plastic particles are melted and formed into a hollow tube, known as a mold tube or billet (depending on the blow molding subtype).
Mold: The mold is clamped to the mold and inflated with pressurized air until it takes shape inside the mold.
Cooling: Let the product cool in the mold until it is solid enough to eject.
Extrusion molding
This process works by pushing the plastic through the mold with the shape of the mold being a cross-section of the final part.
Production process:
Plastic Extrusion: The plastic is heated and pushed through the firing chamber by means of a screw.
Molding: Plastic is pressed through a mold to create the final shape of the part.
Cooling: The extruded plastic is then cooled.
Cut or roll: The end of the plastic film is rolled or cut into long segments.
Injection molding
Injection molding works by injecting molten thermoplastic into a mold. This is the most widely used process for mass production of plastic films.
Production process:
Mold setting: The mold is closed by hydraulic press.
Plastic Extrusion: Melts small plastic particles and extrudes through a heating chamber.
Molding: Then, the molten plastic will be injected into the mold.
Cooling: The part will be cooled in the mold until it is solid enough to be ejected, either mechanically or pneumatically.
Post-processing: all unnecessary objects are removed, this step usually happens automatically.
Create a vacuum
Vacuum forming is a manufacturing method in which plastic is heated and formed, using a mold.
Production process:
Clamp: A plastic sheet will be clamped in the frame.
Heating: Plastic plate and frame are moved closer to the heating elements, making the plastic soft and pliable.
Vacuum: The plastic frame is lowered, and the plastic is stretched over the mold, meanwhile, the vacuum is activated to suck all the air out between the plastic and the mold, forming a plastic film
Cooling, exothermic: Once the plastic film has been formed on the mold, it must have time to cool before removing. Cooling systems such as fans and misting are used to reduce the temperature.
Cutting: After the plastic film is released, the excess material will be cut by hand or by CNC machine.
Tooling costs for vacuum forming are low compared to other plastic film manufacturing techniques, due to the low force and pressure. Molds are made from 3D printed wood, plaster or plastic for short production time in custom quantities. For large volumes of plastic films, manufacturers use more durable metal tools.
Blow molding
Blow molding is a manufacturing technique used to create hollow parts of plastic by inflating a heated plastic tube inside a mold, until it forms the desired shape.
Production process:
Mold setting: Small plastic particles are melted and formed into a hollow tube, known as a mold tube or billet (depending on the blow molding subtype).
Mold: The mold is clamped to the mold and inflated with pressurized air until it takes shape inside the mold.
Cooling: Let the product cool in the mold until it is solid enough to eject.
Extrusion molding
This process works by pushing the plastic through the mold with the shape of the mold being a cross-section of the final part.
Production process:
Plastic Extrusion: The plastic is heated and pushed through the firing chamber by means of a screw.
Molding: Plastic is pressed through a mold to create the final shape of the part.
Cooling: The extruded plastic is then cooled.
Cut or roll: The end of the plastic film is rolled or cut into long segments.
Injection molding
Injection molding works by injecting molten thermoplastic into a mold. This is the most widely used process for mass production of plastic films.
Production process:
Mold setting: The mold is closed by hydraulic press.
Plastic Extrusion: Melts small plastic particles and extrudes through a heating chamber.
Molding: Then, the molten plastic will be injected into the mold.
Cooling: The part will be cooled in the mold until it is solid enough to be ejected, either mechanically or pneumatically.
Post-processing: all unnecessary objects are removed, this step usually happens automatically.
Create a vacuum
Vacuum forming is a manufacturing method in which plastic is heated and formed, using a mold.
Production process:
Clamp: A plastic sheet will be clamped in the frame.
Heating: Plastic plate and frame are moved closer to the heating elements, making the plastic soft and pliable.
Vacuum: The plastic frame is lowered, and the plastic is stretched over the mold, meanwhile, the vacuum is activated to suck all the air out between the plastic and the mold, forming a plastic film
Cooling, exothermic: Once the plastic film has been formed on the mold, it must have time to cool before removing. Cooling systems such as fans and misting are used to reduce the temperature.
Cutting: After the plastic film is released, the excess material will be cut by hand or by CNC machine.
Tooling costs for vacuum forming are low compared to other plastic film manufacturing techniques, due to the low force and pressure. Molds are made from 3D printed wood, plaster or plastic for short production time in custom quantities. For large volumes of plastic films, manufacturers use more durable metal tools.
Types of plastic films used in construction
Plastic films have many different applications, in construction they are used for lining concrete floors, protective coatings for interiors, cars when painting and repairing, as building shielding films, greenhouse membranes and lining films. swimming pool, fish pond. However, the most common use of large format plastic film is as a concrete floor lining.
A layer of plastic film underneath concrete can be created with a sheet of polyethylene, at least 300μm thick (gauge 1200) with sealed joints and placed over a layer of material that will not damage the sheet. The plastic film, which reduces vapor transmission from the soil to the concrete slab, is a "vapor retarder" and is placed on the underside of the concrete slabs.
Plastic film also helps to protect from moisture because floors inside buildings are often carpeted and tiled, the penetration of water vapor through concrete slabs can lead to the failure of the adhesive inside the tiling, changing flooring products and mold growth.
Thus, through the above article, we already know what plastic film is, how is the production process of this material. Especially in the construction industry, plastic film is used as a concrete lining, interior coating among many other uses.
A layer of plastic film underneath concrete can be created with a sheet of polyethylene, at least 300μm thick (gauge 1200) with sealed joints and placed over a layer of material that will not damage the sheet. The plastic film, which reduces vapor transmission from the soil to the concrete slab, is a "vapor retarder" and is placed on the underside of the concrete slabs.
Plastic film also helps to protect from moisture because floors inside buildings are often carpeted and tiled, the penetration of water vapor through concrete slabs can lead to the failure of the adhesive inside the tiling, changing flooring products and mold growth.
Thus, through the above article, we already know what plastic film is, how is the production process of this material. Especially in the construction industry, plastic film is used as a concrete lining, interior coating among many other uses.
