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From Beginning to Advanced: Blogs on Industry and Manufacturing

Greetings! My name is Adam. I work in the advertising industry as a brand developer. I also teach surfing lessons and spend a lot of time volunteering with an animal hospital. When I was on a gap year, I took a job in a pen factory. Through that experience, I learned a great deal about how pens were made, but I also learned a lot about industrial work and manufacturing in general. In this blog, I plan to write about all aspects of these topics, and I hope that this information is interesting and informative to you. Please, grab a tea and start looking around. If you like my blogs, share them. Thanks.

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From Beginning to Advanced: Blogs on Industry and Manufacturing

How to Choose the Right Plastic Sheeting or Film for a Project

by Daniel Wilson

Plastic sheeting may look identical when you're shopping in a home improvement supply store, but rest assured that all those different rolls of film will be very different once you get them home or to a jobsite; this makes it vital that you understand their differences. You might be surprised to find that certain types of sheeting don't hold up well under certain weather conditions or that they get damaged very easily and don't give you the protection you expected. Note a few tips on the differences between plastic sheeting or film types so you can determine the best choice.

1. Acetal and nylon

Acetal film is very resistant to wear and impact; however, it does get brittle when exposed to certain chemicals including chlorine or alkaline. This makes them a poor choice for plumbing projects or for covering anything that might be near a pool. 

2. Acrylic

One benefit of acrylic film is that it looks good and is very clear, so it's a good choice for displays or for covering windows when you still want light to pass through or don't want to detract from the window itself. However, note that acrylic is not necessarily impact resistant. It won't actually add strength to the windows but it can help to keep broken pieces from flying around if the window should get shattered. Acrylic film also has a high UV resistance, so it's good to use when there is a lot of direct sunlight from which you need protection.

3. Poly blends

Poly blends are a good choice for many applications; polycarbonate has a strong impact resistance so it's good for protecting windows or for use in displays. It's also a good choice for construction sites where you need to protection from flying debris. Polycarbonate is not as resistant to UV rays as acrylic, so for long-term outdoor use or for protecting something from direct sunlight, acrylic might still be the better option.

Polypropylene is a very rigid and stiff material that offers high impact resistance. It does become brittle over time but resists exposure to many chemicals, and is often rated as safe for food handling. Polypropylene also has a high moisture resistance so it can be used in plumbing applications and for protecting materials outdoors from rain and snow.

For more information on these types of film and other other types, like polyethylene builders film, contact a plastic sheeting supplier in your area.

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