Cover Film

What is cover film?

Cover film is a waterproof plastic film made from the environmentally friendly plastic polyethylene. In most cases, it is usually LDPE film (low density polyethylene). In addition to LDPE film, there is also HDPE film (high density polyethylene) and MDPE film (medium density polyethylene). Covering film can be manufactured and supplied in countless shapes, variants, designs and colours. The intended use is also extremely diverse.

Folding methods and types of cover film

What is a flat film?

Flat film is film that is laid flat, i.e. unfolded. Due to their large width, many films are folded once or several times before being rolled up to simplify handling and transport. For some applications, however, an unfolded film is required or preferred, for example smoothing film for smoothing concrete.

What is a half-tubular film?

A half-tubular film is folded once on the roll. Since polyethylene film is manufactured as tubular film (blown film extrusion), a film cut on one side is called a half-tubular film.

Multi-folded films / star fold or side fold

Very wide PE films (sometimes up to 20 metres wide) must be folded several times before they are rolled up, otherwise handling would be impossible.

Whatever type of folding you require, dm-folien will realise your wishes.

Purpose and application areas of cover film

PE film as packaging film

Packaging is one of the main purposes for cover films. It is used for any industrial goods, for the storage and transport of furniture, upholstery, machines, pallets, carpets on rolls, film rolls, crates, food, confectionery, textiles and clothing, cushions, mattresses, posters.

It is used in industry, trade, crafts, warehousing, shipping, production, packaging, relocation, as shrink film and shrink flat film.

PE film as cover film

PE film is also very important as a cover film. There are countless areas of application here too. Especially in the construction industry, polyethylene covering film has the following applications:

As a covering film for painters (painter's film) instead of nonwoven covering material, for covering floors, furniture, windows, doors, for covering floor slabs, under screed, concrete screed and dry screed, vinyl flooring, laminate, parquet, foundations, underfloor heating, impact sound insulation, as a seal, clean layer, as a separating layer, as a dust protection wall, window film, cold protection, as a so-called smoothing film for concrete floors, for furniture and garden furniture, as a base against dust and dirt such as sand, gravel, soil.

Other areas of application for PE film

As a tablecloth (beer table), as decorative film, vapour barrier film (vapour barrier), vapour retarder film (vapour retarder), as paint cover film for painting work, in horticulture and hobby gardening, against weeds (black film), in raised beds, as a tent underlay, as underlay film and side wall film in agriculture.

Properties of cover film

Plastic film made from polyethylene has a wide range of properties. Depending on the intended use, the following properties can be achieved during production by mixing in additives and masterbatches or other measures:

• Flame-retardant / non-flammable / fire-resistant / B1
• Food-safe
• Anticorrosion / VCI
• Breathable / perforated / needled / punched
• ESD / antistatic / electrically conductive
• Smooth surface / dull non-slip surface
• Coex, therefore 2 different surface textures can be achieved (front side, back side)
• Straight edges / edge trimmed (for machine film which is processed on machines)
• UV-tight
• UV-resistant / determination of service life und durability in the outdoor area
• Biodegradable / compostable / rottable

There are countless other options. If you have any questions on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the SD value, water vapour permeability, density / specific weight and basis weight of PE, melting point, temperature resistance, surface tension and surface properties.

We will be happy to provide you with technical data and a data sheet for your polyethylene film application. Contact us now.

Cover film weight

Low density polyethylene has a specific weight (mass) of 0.92. Here is a list of thicknesses and the corresponding weights:

Attention: Please question thickness specifications such as Type 200 or similar. This information often conceals the true film thickness. Contact us if you need help.

Dimensions and thicknesses of cover film

Widths and lengths

You will find a wide range of widths and lengths in our stock range. If your desired width, length or film type is not listed, we will be happy to offer you your desired width. It doesn't matter whether you want a cover film with a width of 1 m, 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, 8 m or 15 m.

It is possible to produce the following film widths: a minimum of 20-30 mm to a maximum of 20 m.

It is possible to produce the following lenghts: a minimum of approx. 5 m, the maximum length cannot be determined generally as this is directly related to the film thickness. There are also few obstacles here. We produce small rolls of 5 m, 10 m or 25 m as well as jumbo rolls with extremely high running meter numbers of 1000 m, 5000 m,...

Whether you need large, small, wide or narrow cover films, we will find a solution for you. Contact us now.

Thicknesses

We stock a wide range of film thicknesses. Our range extends from a very thin 30 my (0.03 mm) to a very stable film thickness of 200 my (0.2 mm). And when it comes to film thickness, we show you our endless possibilities. Whether you want PE film in thin, thick, strong, stable, extra strong, extremely tear-resistant and durable, everything is possible.

All you need to do is send us an enquiry and you will receive a personalised, free quote from us in no time.

Colours of our cover films

Our online shop range is also very extensive when it comes to colours. If you browse through the categories, you will come across a very colourful range of colourful cover films. Almost every wish can be fulfilled: transparent cover films, black cover films, see-through, clear, blue, yellow, green, red, white, gold, silver, orange, pink, rose, turquoise, violet, purple, brown.

Of course, transparent film (see-through or clear film) is the most commonly used. Black tarpaulin is also very popular because it is opaque and UV-proof.

By the way, black film is also slightly more UV-resistant than clear film due to the colouring (soot particles).

There is also a distinction between opaque (absolutely non-transparent) and translucent (diaphanous) coloured film.

But here too, no matter how bright and colourful you want it to be. We also like it colourful and are happy to fulfil your wish. What could be better than bright and colourful films?

Material of our cover films

It's slowly becoming a little unbelievable and sounds like endless promise. But here too, we are happy to fulfil all your special requests regarding materials and designs.

We have the following ideas and options to offer:

• made of polyethylene such as LDPE (PE LD) HDPE (PE HD) MDPE (PE MD)
• made from 1A quality polyethylene (new granulate), regenerate, regranulate, recycled material
• COEX, multilayer films (2-ply, 3-ply, 5-ply)
• Bio plastic (organic), corn starch, potato starch

Of course, this list is not complete. What would you like? We would be happy to create a customised offer for you. Contact us now.

Welding, joining, gluing and sewing cover film

Welding

Cover film can be easily welded with an impulse welding machine. Welding is very easy and quick, as long as you use the right film welding device. A beam welding machine is ideal for sealing small areas, while a tong welding machine can be used to easily join large sheets of film or to seal cube-shaped covers without any problems.

Bonding

Polyethylene unfortunately cannot be bonded in liquid form. No glue or adhesive in the world will bond PE films, as the surface structure is not suitable for bonding. However, adhesive tape or repair tape can be used to bond PE films together or repair small holes without any problems.

The following adhesive tapes are suitable and available from us:

• Silver fabric adhesive tape
• PE repair tape
• Silage film adhesive tape in black
• Silage film adhesive tape in white
• Silage film adhesive tape in green

Sewing

Nornal plastic films without fabric or grid can be sewn, the tear resistance of the seam is a weak point. We therefore do not recommend sewing. However, if you use grid or fabric-reinforced plastic films, sewing with a professional industrial sewing machine is a good alternative to welding.

Cover film with print

Plastic film is ideal for printing if the necessary preparations are made. Because of its smooth surface, polyethylene film must undergo printing pretreatment. This process is called corona print pretreatment. The film is electrically charged during production to roughen the surface.

We print exactly according to your wishes. You determine the printing position, size of the print, number of printing colours (multi-coloured) or one-coloured print (Pantone, RAL), rapport, etc. You decide whether the print is to be realised on one or both sides. The motif of the print is also up to you. Whether your customised print is your company logo, a brand name, an advertising print, product specification or labelling, a warning text or warning notice, recycling logo or recycling symbol, our printing company can solve any of these tasks for you.

Before your product is finally printed, you will receive a proof for final print approval. If you would like to have a plastic film printed, please contact our experts.

UV resistance of cover film

Simple cover film is only UV-stable for a short time outdoors. After just a few months, the plastic film begins to degrade due to the UV radiation from sunlight and becomes brittle and fragile.

But we wouldn't be experts in this area if we didn't have a solution to this problem. The durability of the product can be determined by adding UV additives and UV masterbatch (UV protection) during the manufacturing process. Without extreme additional costs, a plastic film can be made weatherproof for up to approx. 3 years. Of course, shorter periods (1 year, 2 years, etc.) are also achievable.

Frost resistance of cover film

Cover films are generally frost-resistant, frost-proof and cold-resistant. If you need a plastic film for extremely low temperatures (for cold storage), we will be happy to help you.

Heat resistance of cover film

The melting point of PE films occurs at approx. 130°C. Here, too, there are ways to change the melting point.

Food safety

Please note that masking films are only food-safe if the following requirements are met:

• Film is produced from new 1A quality material
• A certificate is available

Cover films made from regenerate are not suitable for food packaging. Here too, please contact us so that we can advise you accordingly.

Accessories for cover films

To make your daily work easier, we offer the following accessories:

• Film cutter
• Film dispenser
• Welding machines

Related topics, links and tips

• Translucent and opaque construction film
• Tubular film
• Vapour retarder / vapour barrier B1
• Stretch film for packaging
• Bubble film
• Film cuts
• Screed film

Disposal of plastic film

Polyethylene film is very easy to dispose of, as PE is a highly sought-after raw material and can be recycled an infinite number of times through the recycling process. Manufacturers of PE film pay high prices for clean and colour-sorted PE waste in order to make new products from it. Of course, polyethylene does not contain any heavy metals or plasticisers. PE is therefore extremely environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Customs tariff number

For films made of ethylene polymers, the film density of which is less than 0.94 and thickness is less than 0.125 mm - customs tariff number is 39 20 1025.

For films made of ethylene polymers, the film density of which is higher than 0.94 and thickness is higher than 0.125 mm - customs tariff number is 39 20 1089.

Questions and answers

What thicknesses of cover film do you have in stock?

We stock our cover films in various widths and thicknesses: 30 µ, 40 µ, 50 µ, 80 µ, 100 µ, 120 µ, 150 µ and 200 µ. Customised cover films with a specific thickness can be produced on request. Everything from 10 µ and up to 300 µ is possible.

Are cut-to-size pieces also possible for cover films?

Generally speaking, cover films can also be ordered as cut-to-size pieces. Whether loose or tear-perforated on a roll, these can usually be produced in the dimensions you require.

Round cut-to-size pieces up to a diameter of approx. 1200 mm are also possible. A minimum order quantity may be required. We will be happy to provide you with a customised quotation.

What is needed to prepare a quote for printed cover film?

The following information is required: The print image or a design, number of colours, whether single-sided or double-sided printing, size of the print image or what percentage (%) of the surface is to be printed, print positioning / print position, dimensions and thickness, desired quantity.

What is the difference between normal cover film and construction film?

Construction film is made from regenerate and is usually cloudy or opaque. Normal cover film is usually made from 1A or NT material and is much clearer and more transparent.

Which cover film can be used as a vapour barrier film or vapour retarder film?

PE films from a film thickness of 200 my (0.20 mm) are suitable as vapour retarder films. To be on the safe side, use flame-retardant (B1) versions.

Which construction film is suitable for laminate and parquet?

Here too, we recommend a film thickness of approx. 200 my.