Polyester film and PEN film are two films that are very similar. This article compares some properties of the two technical films.
What are the properties of polyester film?
Polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a high performance, crystal clear thermoplastic made from ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). Compared to other common plastic films, PET film has higher tensile strength, excellent dimensional stability, low moisture absorption, and good retention of physical properties over a relatively wide temperature range.
In addition, it has excellent UV resistance, excellent electrical properties, good optical clarity, high gloss and good gas barrier properties, but only moderate moisture barrier properties.
It is the ideal film for high quality printing and laminating processes and a good choice for high performance plastic films and sheets. It has a relatively high melting point, making it suitable for applications that require high temperature sterilization.
It is generally considered a specialty film due to its higher price compared to PVC, PE and PP films.
What Are The Applications For Polyester Film?
PET film can be metallized, resulting in improved gas barrier properties for demanding applications where long product shelf life is important. PET films are suitable for a wide range of industrial, electronic and automotive applications. It is fully recyclable and can easily be further processed into many other products for different applications.
However, unlike paper and other cellulosic products, PET does not readily decompose. However, there are biodegradable additives that improve the biodegradability of this plastic without affecting its physical properties.
The most important polyester film is the biaxially oriented PET or BOPET. Compared to other common plastic films, it maintains its physical properties over a relatively wide temperature range of around -70°C to 100°C.
Despite its higher price, BOPET has found many high volume applications that require this stronger and dimensionally stable film.
A major disadvantage of BOPET is the higher manufacturing cost and higher investment cost of equipment.
PET film in use
PET films are often an excellent choice for more demanding food and non-food applications. The main uses of polyester film include:
PET is also used as an aroma barrier film (e.g. for coffee and tobacco packaging). This type of foil is sometimes metalized by vapor deposition of metals, which further improves the barrier against oxygen, water vapor and flavor loss.
Low odor, high chemical resistance and inertness make many PET grades suitable for packaging applications subject to FDA regulations.
Polyester films are offered in a variety of types, thicknesses and widths with properties tailored to the specific needs of particular end-use applications.
In our article "Polyester film brands: Mylar, Hostaphan, Melinex, Lumirror and Garware' information on the various brands of polyester film can be found.
What are the characteristics of PEN film?
Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) is a semi-aromatic, transparent polyester synthesized from naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol. Compared to PET, it has lower oxygen permeability, better hydrolysis resistance, higher tensile strength and service temperature, and lower elongation and shrinkage due to its higher glass transition temperature (120°C vs. 75°C). PEN typically outperforms PET in demanding high-end applications and is often a good, lower-cost alternative to polyimides. Its performance is between polyester and high performance polyimides.
What are the applications of PEN film?
PEN is used extensively for film applications. Some examples are
Due to its low oxygen permeability, it is particularly suitable for products that are sensitive to oxidation. PEN is also used as a high performance fiber. It has a very high modulus and better dimensional stability than other polyester or nylon fibers.
The most famous brand for PEN film is the brand “Teonex". Another brand name is "Kaladex".
How do PEN and PET film differ in terms of processing?
Both technical foils can be cut, punched, formed and coated very well. Feathered ribbons for transformer construction can also be made from both foils.
What are the main differences between PEN and PET?
PEN differs from PET in that it is more gas-tight and dimensionally stable under heat, as well as the mechanical values (modulus of elasticity, strength) and increased chemical, UV and hydrolysis resistance. On the other hand, the flex life is lower and the price is higher than that of polyester film.
PEN films have many superior properties such as strength, heat resistance, resistance to hydrolysis, dimensional stability and low oligomer extraction. Because of these performance characteristics, PEN films have the potential to outperform other technical films such as B. polyimide film to replace, with an additional cost advantage. PEN film also has good processing properties (similar to polyester film).
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