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Questions and Answers about Plastic Sheeting....

Here are a random bunch of questions our customers have asked us. We hope this helps you.

If not, give us a call:  

760 597 9298. Thanks

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HDPE vs LDPE- What's the difference

Question:  What is the difference between HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene?

Answer:  HDPE or High Density Polyethylene has a greater  mass density than that of Low-density polyethylene.  HDPE has little "branching", giving it stronger intermolecular forces and tensile strength than LDPE. It is also harder and more opaque and can withstand somewhat higher temperatures. HDPE helps protect the environment from harsh chemicals and oils that could otherwise pollute the ground if an HDPE liner/ geomembrane is mot present. HDPE forms a chemical resistant barrier.

HDPE LLDPE APPLICATION CHART

Scrim used in Poly Scrim- what is it?

Question: Skrim scrim is used in poly film and sheeting. What is "skrim/scrim"  and why is it used?

scrim plastic sheeting

Answer:  The scrim used in the  Poly Scrim line is a polyester string  that is placed between 2 sheets of polyethylene to reinforce the plastic.  Polyester Scrim is used because it is very strong, and durable. It is the perfect solution when you want to stop a tear that can occur in poly films

How is the density of Polyethylene measured?

The density of polyethylene is measured in a column of water, and they are all classified depending on ranges of density. LDPE (and LLDPE) are generally within the range of 0.919-0.924 g/cm³. MDPE are generally within the range of 0.926-0.940 g/cm³. HDPE are generally within the range of 0.941-0.965 g/cm³. These numbers can vary slightly depending on your source, and are not set in stone, just general guidelines.

Can Plastic Sheeting Be Recycled?

Question:  Can Plastic Sheeting be recycled? 

Reclycling Plastic SheetingRecycle Plastic Sheeting

Answer:  A resounding YES, Plastic Sheeting (polyethylene film) can be recycled! Many of Global Plastic Sheeting products are recyclable. The polyethylene sheeting films (LDPE, LLDPE) fall under the category of recycle #4. The exception is for the DuraSkrim, Poly Scrim, Padded, Absorb and Vapor Escape Plastic, and the Pyrotarp materials. The HDPE liners fall into category #2 for recycling. Some of our product are already manufactured with reprocessed resins, such as Rufco 1010, 2010, 3010, 4010.  The are environmentally friendly.

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Will Plastic Sheeting hold up for a screened in patio?

Question:  I have a screened in patio with homemade inserts covered with plastic sheeting that are put up in the winter (my mother’s place in Ohio).   All this was done over 15 years ago.  Within the last couple of years the plastic sheeting has begun to disintegrate.  I tried replacing it with 6 mil plastic from a home improvement store, but that disintegrated within a year.  Do you have something that will last longer than the plastic from the home improvement store?

Answer:  Absolutely we can help you. If you are looking for a plastic you can see through then you can use a marine grade vinyl product.  If you prefer it to be opaque, the you can use a reinforced white plastic. Click here to learn more.

 

 

Home page www.globalplasticsheeting.com plastic sheeting, tapes, strapping fire retardant films greenhouse plastic

Visqueen in a Planter Box for Vegetables

Question:  We are considering the use of Visqueen to line new planter boxes in which we will grow vegetables.  Is there any leaching of chemicals or toxicity to consider with this application or is it safe to use?

Answer:  The issue is the "recycled" component used in the manufacture process.  We can not be 100% sure of the source, so it maybe material from toxic containers that are reprocessed.  When you feel the visqueen on the market you will feel some "roughness/ bumpy feel to it"  this is partial from the regrinded material that did not break down in the manufacturing process. 

 
Please note that the NOP schedule requires for organics that the material PE in this case be of 100% virgin origin (this is a good thing).   https://www.ccof.org/documents/nop-standards-manual  this is a good sournce for information. Whatever you do, please source virgin polyethylene for your liners.   If you can find food grade resins, produced in a food grade plant, even better!
This is what our growers use: 

Thickness of Plastic Sheeting- How to calculate

Question:  How do I calculate the thickness of plastic sheeting?  What is a mil?

Answer:  Perhaps you have noticed that all plastic sheeting is rated in thickness by the term "mil".  A mil equals one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch). This is roughly the thickness of a human hair from your head. So it you are talking about 6 mil plastic sheeting product you are referring to 6-thousandths of an inch or 0.006 inches.

What are "virgin resins"?

Flexible plastic sheeting that is made from "virgin resins" are rolls of plastic where the polyethylene has never been used before. The plastic can have some additives, but the key is that the plastic is not re-ground.  It is available for use for the first time which improves its quality.

Deer Fencing/Deer Enclosures- 30 Mil HDPE will do the job!

Question:  We are looking to enclose our yard for our deer.  What do you recommend as "deer fencing" to make a deer enclosure?

Answer: It must be deer fencing season, as we have been selling 30 mil HDPE to use specifically to enclose deer.  30 mil HDPE is strong enough to keep their horns from piercing the plastic sheeting (deer fencing). Click here to learn more about 30 mil HDPE.

What is the Smoke-Developed Index (SDI) vs the Flame Spread Index?

Question:  What is the Smoke-Developed Index (SDI) as compared to the flame spread index?

Answer:  The Smoke-developed index (SDI) is a measure of the concentration of smoke a material emits as it burns. Like Flame Spread Index, it is based on an arbitrary scale in which asbestos-cement board has a value of 0, and red oak wood has 100. The ASTM standard E84 defines a standard test method for surface flame spread and smoke density measurements. ...

The Flame Spread Index is a numerical designation, applied to a building material, which is a comparative measure of the ability of the material to resist flaming combustion over its surface.  I looks at the rate of flame travel, as measured under the applicable ASTM test, in which a selected species of untreated lumber has a designated value of 100, and noncombustible cement-asbestos board has a value of 0.

Will Plastic Sheeting hold up for a screened in patio?

Question:  I have a screened in patio with homemade inserts covered with plastic sheeting that are put up in the winter (my mother’s place in Ohio).   All this was done over 15 years ago.  Within the last couple of years the plastic sheeting has begun to disintegrate.  I tried replacing it with 6 mil plastic from a home improvement store, but that disintegrated within a year.  Do you have something that will last longer than the plastic from the home improvement store?

Answer:  Absolutely we can help you. If you are looking for a plastic you can see through then you can use a marine grade vinyl product.  If you prefer it to be opaque, the you can use a reinforced white plastic. Click here to learn more.

 

 

How Do I Choose Between A Scrim Reinforced or Heavy duty Polyethylene?

Q:  How Do I decide if I should use a scrim reinforced product or a heavy polyethylene for a vapor barrier?

A:  Both Scrim Reinforced and heavy polyethylenes sheeting can be used effectively as a vapor barrier. If you are concerned with blocking gases such as Methane, Radon, or VOC's (Volitile Organic Compounds) then the best insurance is a sheeting product that is designed specifically for blocking gases. Breakthroughs in polymer technology now make it possible to make a polyethylene film that blocks virtually all of the extremely small particle gasses, like Radon, Methane, and many VOC's, along with water vapor molecules.  To date, our VaporBlock 20 Plus is the only product we know about on the market with the capability to block Radon, Methane and VOC's.  Our engineers claim that it is over 50 times less permeable than typical high performance vapor retarders against Radon, Methane, and harmful VOC's.

CPAI-84 What is that?

Question:  What is CPAI-84? What does it measure?

Answer:  CPAI-84 is a specification for flame resistant materials used in camping tentage and taurpaulins. CPAI-84 was established by the Industrial Fabrics Association International- which back in1980 was called the "Canvas Products Association International". 

CPAI Section 6 has to do with flooring material, while CPAI Section 7 refers to top and walls. What this test is looking at is how long is the"After-flame Time", 0r the time the flame will continue to burn after the ignition source has been removed.

Dura- Skrim 2 FR and Dura-Skrim 10 FR both pass the CPAI-84 section 6 and 7.

Thickness of Plastic Sheeting- How to calculate

Question:  How do I calculate the thickness of plastic sheeting?  What is a mil?

Answer:  Perhaps you have noticed that all plastic sheeting is rated in thickness by the term "mil".  A mil equals one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch). This is roughly the thickness of a human hair from your head. So it you are talking about 6 mil plastic sheeting product you are referring to 6-thousandths of an inch or 0.006 inches.

UHMWPE/ UHMW- What type of Polyethylene is this?

Question:  I have seen the abbreviation for UHMWPE and sometimes UHMW.  What type of polyethylene is this?

Answer:  UHMWPE stands for Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene.  UHMW stands for High-modus polyethylene. This polyethylene falls under the thermoplastic polyethylene.  Because this  plastic has a very high molecular weight strengthens the intermolecular interactions. Bottom line is...;.this is a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic that is presently manufactured.  It is highly resistant ot corrosive chemicals except for oxidizing acids.  UHMWPE has an extremely low absorption and a very low coefficient of friction. It is also resistant to abrasion- at time 15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel.  For more information, call 866.597.9298 and ask for Lee Hinsley.

What's the difference between the plastic from the local home improvement retailer versus your plastic?

Question: What's the difference between the plastic at the local home improvement retailer versus your plastic? I was looking for a 10 mil heavy duty product to use in my basement.

Answer: All plastic sheeting is NOT created equal. If you read the specifications area for the products your are comparing you can get an idea what the plastic film was designed to do.  The bigger question you need to answer is: 

  • What am I using this plastic for? 
  • How long do I need for the plastic to last, before it starts degrading? 
  • Where will this plastic be placed? Will it be in the sun subject to the sun's UV rays for 6 months, or used as a vapor barrier, placed on top of sharp rocks?
  • Will it be subject to sunshine and high winds?
  • Do you need it to be self-adhesive, padded, or black on one side, and white on the other?
  • How strong (tensile strength) do you need the product to be?
  • Does it need to be able to stretch without breaking?
  • Would it be helpful to have it string-reinforced so a tear won't spread?
  • Do you need some plastic sheeting that sticks to what it is touching, but not have any adhesive?
  • Are you doing a job where you don't want the dust particulates to stick to the film?
  • Do you need the product to be fire retardant or pass fire tests?

These are the types of questions you need to consider so you don't waste your money and buy a roll of plastic sheeting that doesn't do what you intended it to do.  Generally speaking, the local hardware store, or home improvement retailer will not have plastics beyond construction grade quality. Think of the black plastic you see covering a mound of dirt. If it is all torn up and blowing in the wind, you can bet it was construction grade plastic that will not hold up in the sun and wind.Click here for a comparison chart of black 10 mil construction grade plastic versus a 6 mil engineered film.

Does visqueen come in widths larger than 20'?

Question:  Does visqueen come in widths larger than 20'?

Answer:  So often people refer to all types of plastic sheeting as "visqueen" or C & A (Construction and Agricultural) film . If you are referring to C & A films, yes they do come in widths larger than 20'. 

The best news is you are not limited to just your standard C & A films. There are an abundance of thicknesses and widths out there to help you best meet the needs of your project.  Plastic Sheeting has been engineered to be fire retardant, radon resistant, self-adhesive, padded, not padded, and made in a variety of colors.  Please take a look on our website (Click here), or call us (866.597.9298)  and tell us your application, and we will suggest some different films for your consideration.

 

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Global Plastic Sheeting, Inc.  
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8313  Chula Vista, CA  91912  866.597.9298                Warehouse & Sales Office:  1781 Key Lane, El Cajon, CA  92021  © 2008-2022Protected by Copyscape Online Plagiarism Finder www.globalplasticsheeting.com. CEO Lee Hinsley