Shrink Film Selection- PVC or Polyolefin

Polyolefin or PVC shrink wrap.

Generally, PVC shrink wrap has been very significantly superceded by Polyolefin shrink film, due to its improved strength, optics, and cleanliness.

Whether you can move will depend upon your shrink film machine type – please read more below.

Once a user is successfully running polyolefin shrink film, there is almost no reason why there would be a substitution by PVC shrink film.

Your shrink wrap equipment – this is the most important determinant in staying with PVC shrink film , which is the easiest shrink film to seal and shrink. In contrast, polyolefin shrink wrap requires better airflow and temperature control to achieve a satisfactory shrink result. It may be that your equipment is not designed to run polyolefin shrink wrap. Your instruction manual should advise if your machinery is suitable for polyolefin shrink film – alternatively, ask The Shrink; give Dr. Freud the following details – manufacturer or supplier, model number, serial number, year of manufacture – all this information should be displayed on a machine label or plate – and The Shrink will email his advise.

Your pack – PVC shrink wrap has low shrink force so if your pack is very flexible, it may be that there is no alternative.

Ease of use – if you have relatively low demand, and your application does not call for the film to exhibit significant strength, PVC shrink film is a logical choice.

Strength – polyolefin shrink wrap seals are stronger as is polyolefin in terms of puncture and tear resistance, and low temperature flexibility. PVC shrink film loses strength proportionally as ambient temperature drops.

Cleanliness – PVC shrink wrap creates carbon deposits on sealing wires and blades which need regular cleaning. In addition, the sealing process will produce small quantities of hydrogen chloride, which will cause the equipment to rust over time.

It should be noted that adequate ventilation must be provided when – any – shrink film is used

Would you like to use our online help to establish the specification of your shrink film or would you like to proceed to the supermarket?

This will depend upon you pack. Most packs can be wrapped in standard Polyolefin shrink film, but packs that are liable to distort, for example thin, flexible packs, may be better to suited to a Low Shrink film. You can contact us if you are not sure. Proceed to online help

Would you like to use our online help to establish the specification of your film or would you like to proceed to the supermarket?