Smart Packaging & Mailing with Pallet Wraps
Smart Packaging & Mailing with Pallet Wraps
Blog Article
Stretch film wrap provides a high level of load stability, good tear resistance, and great load holding force, and is a great alternative to colored stretch film for any pallet wrapping application. You’ll discover how opaque is different from clear film, get step-by-step application advice for hand and machine wrapping, and read gauge selection recommendations, plus environmental disposal and recycling best practices.
Stretch film wrap is heavy duty polyethylene film that’s shrouded in carbon-black pigment that provides the opaque, UV-resistant layer of protection for your pallet loads. This film is designed to stretch up to 400-500% of original length to cling to load. Unlike transparent film, however, the black shading hides contents for increased security, while blocking 99 percent of damaging UV rays.
Why Use Black Film Instead of Clear Film?
For one, the solace of opacity is a layer of theft deterrence: onlookers can’t see inside, meaning the most valuable or proprietary materials are safe from prying eyes. Second, carbon-black increases tensile strength, so the film resists punctures and tears better than conventional clear wrap when being rough handled . Third, UV protection is supplied to any type of stored product, preventing sun rot or fading on items stored outside keeping them fresh and lasting longer and preventing spoilage.
How to Apply in Easy, Simple Strokes
Hand-Wrapping
Start with the film tail at a lower corner of the pallet. Wind two or three turns around the base to create a firm base. That's before spiraling upward, with a 50% overlap with each layer to guarantee evenness and eliminate gaps. Cry the film to the top, and stuff the end in underneath the last layer so that it stays in place.
Machine-Wrapping
Simply place the roll on the carriage, feed the film through the rollers, and input the required wrap tension and number of turns from the control panel of the machine. Initiate the turntable and while it rotates, observe the film feed and adjust the overlap. After the cycle is over, the built-in cutter will cut the film, and you can take the roll and tuck the tail under the last wrap.
Choosing the Right Film Width
For light, even loads, like single cartons or light boxes, a lower thickness (of around 15–17 µm) would still provide adequate containment and reduce material usage. Standard mixed-product pallets are a good fit with mid-range gauges (20–23 µm), offering a cost-strength tradeoff. For irregular loads (drums or machinery), mechanical or heavy-wrap film (23–30 µm thick) minimizes tearing and prevents machine wrap failures.
Tips for Optimal Performance
- Tension Control: Over-tightening can crush the cartons or break the film; under-tightening results in load shift. Aim for firm but not too much tension according to how thick the load is and how fragile.
- Storage guidelines for optimum cling and pre-stretch Not exposed to sunlight and in a cool dry area (15–25 °C) Rolls stored in a vertical position on a shelf may be used to store the rolls.
- Maintain Your Equipment: Keep the rollers and bearings clean & lubricated on the machine to prevent snags and consistent film delivery in the wrap cycle.
Best Practices in Recycling and the Environment
While black film is technically recyclable, it can be missed by optical sorters used at material-recovery facilities because of its opacity. For better end-of-life results: align with a recycler that will accept black polyethylene, reuse partially-used rolls for internal shipments, and stay updated on the emergence of biodegradable wrap solutions that may soon perform as well with less environmental cost.
Conclusion
Black stretch film wrap combines hide, UV and moisture protection, along with great load stability, qualities that clear film just doesn't offer. It’s all in the wrapping, from using the right gauge to executing better disposal practices, you’ll get more out of your pallet-wrapping process and be more eco-responsible doing it.
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