News

How is the thickness of stretch film determined?

Author:admin   Date:2023-07-31
The thickness of stretch film is not typically measured using a micrometer or thickness gauge I appreciate the opportunity to correct this mistake.
The thickness of stretch film is determined during the manufacturing process using specialized equipment known as a "cast extrusion line." Here's how the thickness of stretch film is determined:
Extrusion Process: The stretch film is manufactured through a process called "cast extrusion." In this process, raw materials, usually LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) resin, are melted and extruded through a flat die, forming a thin, continuous molten sheet.
Cooling and Solidifying: As the molten sheet exits the die, it passes over a cooling roller or through a water bath to solidify and cool down. This rapid cooling sets the shape and thickness of the film.
Gauging Equipment: During the extrusion process, the film passes through gauging equipment. This equipment consists of precision measurement sensors and rollers that gauge and control the thickness of the film as it solidifies.
Closed-Loop System: The gauging equipment continuously measures the thickness of the film and provides real-time feedback to the extrusion line's control system. The system then adjusts the extrusion parameters, such as the screw speed and melt temperature, to maintain a consistent and uniform film thickness.
Quality Control: Throughout the extrusion process, quality control checks are performed to ensure the film meets the required thickness specifications. Any deviations from the desired thickness are corrected to maintain the film's uniformity and performance.
Winding and Slitting: Once the stretch film reaches the desired thickness and quality, it is wound into large rolls. These rolls may then go through a slitting process to create narrower rolls of stretch film for various applications.
Testing: Random samples of the produced stretch film may undergo further testing in a quality control laboratory to verify thickness and other performance characteristics.
By utilizing advanced extrusion and gauging technology, manufacturers can precisely control the thickness of stretch film, ensuring it meets the required specifications for performance, load containment, and protection during transportation and storage.