When to Use stainless steel protective film？

Stainless steel can be ordered from Austral Wright Metals with one of three different plastic films applied for temporary surface protection. There are significant differences in the purpose and performance of the plastic films.

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The stainless steel protective films are intended to protect the surface of the stainless steel from scratches and scuffing during storage, handling and working prior to and during installation. They should be removed once in service.

Types of Stainless Steel Protective Film

1. White Polyethylene (PE) Protective Film

The appropriate protective film for most applications is polyethylene (PE), with a rubber adhesive layer. This film is applied by default as to the protected surface when the quality of the film to be used is not specified.

The sheet plastic material is nominally 80 micrometres thick. It is white and may have two blue stripes printed at intervals across the width. The stripes have no significance.

The adhesive may be clear or black. Clear adhesive looks white on the film.

To prevent adhesive transfer, film with clear adhesive should not be exposed to the sun for more than a few hours to avoid breakdown of the adhesive, which will leave a residue on the surface of the stainless when the film is stripped off. Film with a black adhesive should be stable in the sun for a few months as they absorb heat.

The protected surface may be plasma or laser cut with the film in place, as it does not produce toxic or corrosive products when burnt. When laser cutting, for best results cut from the side which does not have the plastic applied, or use oxygen to assist and cut from the protected side.

2. Light Blue Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Protective Film

This film is appropriate for deep drawing application, particularly multi-stage deep drawing. It is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, with a rubber adhesive layer.

The film is nominally 70 micrometres thick, and is light blue in colour.

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

The film should not be exposed to the sun for more than a few hours to avoid breakdown of the adhesive, which can cause adhesive transfer, which may interfere with deep drawing or leave a residue on the surface of the stainless when the film is stripped off.

The steel should not be plasma or laser cut with the film in place, as the film will produce fumes containing hydrochloric acid which are toxic and corrosive.

The film should be removed from the steel after pressing, at a temperature between 15°C and 40°C.

3. Black Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Protective Film

This stainless steel protection film is appropriate for heavy roll forming and other applications requiring heavy surface protection. It is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, with an acrylic adhesive layer, and a very high level of adhesion.

The film is nominally 120 micrometres thick, and black in colour.

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

The film is weather resistant, and can be exposed to the sun for several months while offering reliable protection.

The steel should not be plasma or laser cut with the film in place, as the film will produce fumes containing hydrochloric acid which are toxic and corrosive.

4. Protective films for Laser Cutting

Austral Wright Metals are able to supply sheet coated with a polyethylene film specially formulated to work well in the demanding process of laser cutting. Special films are required for both CO2 and fibre optic laser cutting technologies. Appropriate laser absorption and resistance to cutting gas pressures have always been the main prerequisites needed for these films. Contact Austral Wright Metals for what is needed for your specific application.

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5. Other Protective Films

Other suppliers may use white PVC films for general surface protection. This is less likely than hitherto as PVC films are significantly more expensive than PE films.

6. Stripping The Protective Film & Cleaning The Stainless Surface

On occasions, the stainless steel protection film is left in place for too long. It may become very hard to strip, and may also leave a gummy or friable residue of degraded adhesive on the steel surface require extensive cleaning time on the protected surface side.

The residue is unsightly, makes achieving smooth surfaces difficult, and may also impair corrosion resistance by retaining atmospheric corrodents which settle on the steel surface.

Even if the stainless steel protection film is stripped promptly, there may be small amounts of this residue left, although they may not be visible. It is prudent to clean the surface after stripping the film.

The adhesive residue can be cleaned from the surface of the steel with a solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), eucalyptus oil or a similar solvent.

The surface should be swabbed with the solvent on a clean, soft, grit free cloth, left to soak in, then the solvent wiped off (and use elbow grease). The intent is to dissolve the adhesive into the solvent, then wipe off the solution. Hence the solvent chosen should not evaporate too rapidly. Consideration should also be given to the flashpoint and toxicity of the solvent.

Care should be taken to avoid marking the stainless – check a small area after the solvent has dried, as fine scratches may not be visible while the surface is wet.

Highly adherent films which have baked onto the steel may require an extended soaking period with the solvent, preferably after pulling away strips of film to allow access of the solvent to the adhesive.

The solvent may leave tide marks, which can usually be removed with an alkaline detergent and hot water, well rinsed. Allow the steel surface to dry naturally, blot dry with a clean rag, or blow dry with clean air.

There’s something for everyone on the internet — even for people who love peeling plastic off new objects. We’re not kidding: There are approximately 128,000 members inside a hugely popular subreddit, where users actively post photos and videos of themselves stripping plastic and film from all sorts of objects, including electronics and appliances.

Basically, if you love the feeling of peeling, you’re clearly not alone. There’s a cult-like following of people on the web who discuss their obsession with removing protective layers of film from brand-new items. And it’s nothing new: the subreddit was founded in March , though the most recent peeling post was less than 24 hours ago. People live and love to peel.

Whether or not you consider yourself a devoted peeler, it’s safe to assume we’re all familiar with the concept of protective film and plastic. After all, they’re used to protect most items during packaging and shipping. Maybe your laptop or smartphone screen was layered with a thin, clear film? Or, perhaps you purchased a new dishwasher, microwave, or television, which was covered in blue-hued plastic? Wherever you’ve encountered film, you’ve probably wondered: What’s the point? And, weirdly enough, why do I find it so soothing? Let’s dive into the world of stainless steel protection film:

What’s the Deal with Protective Film?

The term temporary “protective film” includes any film that sticks to a surface, including countertops, appliances, and electronics, and offers protection from scratches, stains, and marring. The film requires someone (or something) to apply pressure to it, which results in it sticking to a surface. It stays on — and protects an item — until a customer decides it's time to peel it off. This is the time where, if you consider yourself peel-obsessed, you would grab your smartphone, film the experience, and post it to the subreddit page.

Though protective film is practical and simple, why does it spark a reaction strong enough to inspire message boards? For starters, there’s a physical aspect to the act of peeling. Some say it provides a comforting sound, like a soft sizzle. Think of it as unleashing something new and exciting. Apple even released an ad with a slow peeling sound to mimic the undeniable feeling.

But beyond how protective film makes you feel, there are quite a few useful applications associated with it, too.

The Practical Side: It Communicates Value

When companies use protective film, they ensure products arrive unscathed, which adds to the consumer experience. People pay a significant amount of money for new items. For example, the average cost of a dishwasher is anywhere from $400 to $700. When a customer invests that kind of money, they want to be sure their product doesn’t have a single scratch or dent. And the only way to guarantee that is by applying stainless steel protection film — or similar film that has been tested and verified not to leave adhesive residue behind on the surface after removal.

Temporary protective films protect finished surfaces against abrasion, scratches and other damage during transit and installation. The film is effective because it attaches to the stainless steel exterior and remains in place until the consumer removes it. When they do, they’re left with a sleek, smooth surface to complement their home.

What Kind of Film Causes This Reaction?

Not all protective film will give consumers the kind of peeling satisfaction posted thousands of times on Reddit. The film needs to firmly stick to the surface to allow for a slow peel or fast zipping. And, most importantly, generate sound. From a functional point of view, the film needs to protect the product so once it’s off, the surface underneath is absolutely pristine.

Companies aren’t limited to just one type of film, even for stainless steel. Pregis offers a range of Pregis PolyMask™ protective films suited for appliances, tools, control panels, consumer electronics, and other products. Hey, before you know it, your company’s product may be the next one featured on Reddit.

Give consumers a reason to peel — and ensure their items arrive in top condition: