What is VMPET film?

VMPET-film-substrate-for-flexible-packaging
VMPET-film-substrate-for-flexible-packaging

VMPET film is short for vacuum metallized polyester film, that is achieved under vacuum conditions to deposit a thin layer of aluminum atoms onto the surface of PET (polyester) film substrate, and finally realize a bright metallic film that is widely used in flexible packaging and standup pouch packages.

Main Properties

High Barrier Performance

The reason why VMPET film is so widely used in standup pouch packages is the high barrier property at quite lower costs than aluminum foil.

oxygen-and-water-vapor-barrier-map-of-typical-barrier-films
oxygen-and-water-vapor-barrier-map-of-typical-barrier-films

As you can understand from above table, the barrier performance for VMPET film is only a little worse than Aluminum foil and ceramic coated films, however the price of VMPET film is only 1/3~1/2 of aluminum foil and 1/10~1/8 of ceramic film.

Bright Metallic Effect

When it comes to standup pouch packages, bright metallic effect means the final package can be realized in a more vivid and solid effect. As when the ink is printed on a clear transparent PET film, actually, the actual artwork can be halfly seen through even laminated with another PE layer. You can compare the two standup pouch package below.

standup-package-effect-with-VMPET-film
standup-package-effect-with-VMPET-film

Sunlight Shield Property

Sunlight shield property means the package with VMPET film can well protect the inside products against sunlight, like potato chips, liquid detergent, cookies, instant noddles etc. VMPET film is the best solution for these products packaging.

potato-chips-packaging-with-VMPET-film-inside
potato-chips-packaging-with-VMPET-film-inside

These 3 excellent properties lead VMPET film to be widely used in flexible packaging and standup pouch packages.

So, how VMPET film is produced?

Graphic-on-metallization-craftsmanship
Graphic-on-metallization-craftsmanship

Vacuum metallization for aluminum wire can only happen under vacuum conditions, as if there is any air inside the metallizing machine, the oxygen will lead aluminum wire to burn easily, and may also lead to explosion, as during production, the temperature will have to be heated up to nearly 2,000 celsius degree to evaporate the aluminum wire into aluminum gas, so the aluminum gas can deposit uniformly onto the surface of PET film.

The thickness of aluminum layer is very thin, only 350-450 Å (1 Å=10^(-10)m), however PET film is 12 microns ( 1 microns=10^(-6)m ), so you can imagine the thickness by below graphic

thickness-of-aluminum-layer-on-VMPET-film
thickness-of-aluminum-layer-on-VMPET-film

As we have explain before, aluminum foil is of much higher price, so the so thin layer of aluminum layer on VMPET film will surely lower the cost in large extent.

Check the vacuum metallization machine if you interest.

vacuum-metallizing-machine
vacuum-metallizing-machine

Thickness of aluminum deposting layer

Thickness of PET film

Improvement of metallization adhesion

About Bruce Dou

I am gratefully engaged in this packaging field and would love to get myself well devoted to what i am doing. You are welcome to reach me whenever you have any questions regarding the packages. Whatsapp: +86 159 6981 3136 mailto: bruce.dou@valuepackaging.cn

2 comments on “What is VMPET film?

  1. Basel Al Moussly

    Please quote us for:

    1- Clear PET ID/mm 76 OD/mm 457 Width/mm 50/51 mm Thickness mm 0.012

    2- Metalized PET ID/mm 76 OD/mm 457 Width/mm 50/51 mm Thickness mm 0.012

    3- 0.007 Alu+0.012PET ID/mm 76 OD/mm 457 Width/mm 50/51 mm Thickness mm 0.007+ 0.012

    Reply
    1. bruce Post author

      Hello sir, at present, we are not able to supply you the substrate films. We are now converting them.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *