2.2 ~ Performance characteristics of polymer based sheet and film

Polymer film

Usually very thin and flexible such as cellulose acetate used for photographic film

Polymer sheet

Thicker than polymer film and available in stock sheets of varying thickness

Cellulose acetate

Naturally biodegradable

Polylactide

Naturally biodegradable

Foam board properties

Two outer layers of card with a foam middle core

Foam board uses

Mood board backing, presentation board, modelling

Fluted PP sheet properties

Extruded sheet with integral flutes or corrugations. Lightweight and easily bent along the flutes

Fluted PP sheet uses

Signs, storage box construction, portfolio cases, small models

Translucent PP sheet properties

Tough polymer sheet, can be folded millions of times. Virtually impossible to tear, water resistant

Translucent PP sheet uses

Packaging products, folders, boxes

Styrofoam properties

Dense, closed-cell foam. Can be cut shaped, and sanded with standard workshop tools

Styrofoam uses

Product modelling, formers for moulding and laminating

Low density polyethene (LDPE) sheet properties

Tough, available in thin sheet foam, transparent, good chemical resistance, flexible

LDPE uses

Food wrapping, air pillow packaging, bubble wrap, carrier bags

Plastazote foam properties

Closed-cell polyethene foam, tough, flexible, good impact resistance, impermeable to liquids

Plastazote foam uses

Protective packaging, swimming floats, gym and exercise mats, sound and pipe insulation, stage props

Cellulose acetate properties

Transparent, tough , naturally biodegradable

Cellulose acetate uses

Packaging film, membranes, photographic film

Polylactide properties

Transparent, tough, naturally biodegradable

Polylactide uses

Biodegradable packaging film

Properties of polymer-based sheet and film

Ability to be scored, cutting, folding, moulding, transparency, translucency, flexibility, recyclability, and/or biodegradability