What Type of Surface Film Protects Stainless Steels?

Whether you consider yourself a devoted peeler or not, it's a safe assumption that we're all familiar with the concept of protective film and plastic. After all, they are used to protect most items during packaging and transportation. Perhaps your laptop or smartphone screen is covered in a thin, clear film? 

Or perhaps you have purchased a new dishwasher, microwave, or television set covered in blue plastic? Wherever you encounter film, you may be wondering: what's the point? And, strangely enough, why do I find it so soothing? Let's step into the world of stainless steel protective film.

Stainless Steel Plate Protection Film

Types of Stainless Steel Protective Film

1. White polyethylene (PE) protective film

The protective film suitable for most applications is polyethylene (PE) with a rubber adhesive layer. If the quality of the film to be used is not specified, this film is applied by default to the surface to be protected. The sheet plastic material has a nominal thickness of 80 microns. It is white and may have two blue stripes printed at intervals across the width. The stripes are not meaningful.

 Protection Films for Stainless Steel Sheets 

The adhesive may be transparent or black. Transparent adhesives look white in the film.

To prevent the adhesive transfer, films with clear adhesives should not be exposed to sunlight for more than a few hours, as this may break the adhesive and leave a residue on the stainless steel surface after peeling. Films with black adhesives can be stabilized in the sun for several months, as they absorb heat.

Protected surfaces can have the film cut with plasma or laser as it does not produce toxic or corrosive products when burned. When laser cutting, for best results, cut from the unapplied side of the plastic, or use oxygen to assist in cutting from the protected side.

2. Light blue polyvinyl chloride (PVC) protective film

This film is suitable for deep-drawing applications, especially multi-stage deep-drawing. It is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film with a rubber adhesive layer.

The film has a nominal thickness of 70 microns and is light blue in color. 

The film should be used at a temperature of 15°C to 40°C.

 Protection Films for Stainless Steel Sheets 

The film should not be exposed to sunlight for more than a few hours to prevent the adhesive from breaking down, which could lead to adhesive transfer, which could affect deep drawing or leave residues on the stainless steel surface when the film is peeled off.

Plasma or laser cutting of steel should not be carried out in the presence of the film, as the film can produce toxic and corrosive fumes containing hydrochloric acid.

The film should be removed from the steel after pressing at a temperature of 15°C to 40°C.

To view more high-quality stainless steel protective film, click here. 

3. Black polyvinyl chloride (PVC) protective film

This stainless steel protective film is suitable for heavy-duty roll forming and other applications where heavy-duty surface protection is required. It is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film with an acrylic adhesive layer that provides very high adhesion.

 Protection Films for Stainless Steel Sheets 

The film has a nominal thickness of 120 microns and is black in color.

The film should be used at temperatures between 15°C and 40°C.

The film is weather resistant and can be exposed to sunlight for several months while providing reliable protection.

Plasma or laser cutting of steel should not be carried out in the presence of the film, as the film produces toxic and corrosive fumes containing hydrochloric acid.

Free sample? Yes, please! We've got you covered and one of our technicians can help formulate a custom solution just for your needs.