An introduction to clear polythene sheeting

If you were asked to name something commonly found in homes, offices, factories etc, plastic would be one of the first things that comes to mind. Of the many forms of plastic available in the market, clear polythene sheeting is one of the most popular types of packaging materials for domestic as well as commercial use. This is typically available in the form of rolls of variable length and thickness.

Polythene sheets are categorised according to their thickness. This may be expressed as microns or gauge with 1 gauge equal to 4 microns and 1 micron equal to 0.0001mm. The micron or gauge value is directly proportional to the thickness of the plastic sheet and its cost. The micron value of a polythene sheet also determines how it can be used. Thin plastic sheeting can be used for general packing and storage of goods while thicker plastic may be used as a temporary roof, to create greenhouses or for heavy duty packing of for products being transported. However, it is important to note that the thickness of the plastic sheet is not related to the durability and longevity of the plastic.

Another factor that influences the price of clear polythene is its clarity. One of the biggest advantages of using clear plastic over coloured plastic is that this allows you to see what is inside the packing without having to open the package. Thus the clearer the plastic, the better it is. Virgin polythene sheets are much clearer than recycled polythene sheets but can be more expensive as well. Light duty virgin polythene may be used to package food items and other groceries that need to be seen clearly through the packaging while recycled polythene sheets may be used as drop cloths or temporary walls.

If the polythene sheeting is going to be used outdoors or exposed to considerable sunlight, look for sheeting that is UV stabilised. This type of polythene sheet is treated so as to make it more resistant to the sun’s UV rays. Non stabilised polythene can get discoloured or turn brittle when exposed to UV radiation. Stabilised polythene will also typically have a longer life as compared to non-stabilised polythene.