polypropylene- Is it different from HDPE? Yes it is.  To begin with, polypropylene is also called, "polypropene".  it is a thermoplast polymer which is made from a monomer called propylene.  Like HDPE it has a wide variety of applications such as packaging, labeling, textiles, ropes, stationery, automotive components and more.  Like HDPE it is rugged and usually resists man chemical solvents and acids.  

Density Differences:

Several things differentiate polypropylene from HDPE.  Density is the first factor.  The density of polypropylene is between 0.895 and 0.92 g/cm².  High Density Polyethylene  is known for it's big strength-to-density ratio.  The density of HDPE can range from 0.93 to 0.97 g/cm³.  HDPE can be more rigid as a result.  polypropylene, because of its lower density is used for molding parts with lower weight and more parts of a certain mass of plastic can be produced.

Temperature Differences:

HDPE has a working temperature of 212 degrees F to 200 degrees F. Polypropylene has a melting point between 266 degrees F to 340 degrees F.

U.V. and Chemical Resistance

Polypropylene has good chemical resistance like HDPE but it has poor UV resistance -unless it is stabilized with additives.  HDPE is resistant to many different solvents and has a wide variety of applications. It protects the environment by forming a chemical-resistant barrier to prevent the pollution of soil and groundwater by the liquid constituents of solid waste.

A lot has been written about both HDPE and Polypropylene. Please visit the web to learn more about these very versatile plastics.

Click HERE to visit the resource page to visit the applications pages for
*Plastic Sheeting -  thickness for what application
*  Tapes- thicknesses and applications

*  Enka Products applications and options
and many more products.

Hypothetically, how would our lives be impacted if plastic were banned in the U.S.?  Would we have a cleaner, safer environment? Depending on the source, it is estimated that we use more than 260 million tons of plastic each year. Much of this plastic ends up in our oceans. Somewhere between 60-80% of the total debris in the oceans is made up of plastic materials. The danger lies in the toxins that are leaching out of the plastic into the oceans threatening ocean life. The same goes for plastic material breaking down in landfills leaching harmful chemicals into the ground water.

Plastic Bags in The Grocery Store:

Why are so many plastic bags dispensed in stores? The obvious reason is cost.  Bags costs 2-4 cents per bag. It's a pretty inexpensive and handy way to get a multitude of items from one place to the next for the consumer.  The folks at Bag the Ban state on their website that plastic bags are the most environmentally friendly option for stores. They are 100% recyclable and actually put less of a burden on the environment because they require less natural resources to produce and transport.

Did you know that American plastic bags are made from natural gas not oil? Yes, 85% of the raw material used to make plastic bags is produced from natural gas.

What about global warming? Some information from the U.K. Environmental Agency suggests that it would take 7.5 years of using the same cloth bag going to the grocery store once a week before it's a better option for the environment than a plastic bag reused 3 times.

Getting back to the premise of this article, if plastic was banned from the U.S. we would be putting our purchases in paper bags or cloth bags.  That is itself does not constitute a huge inconvenience. What we don't think about is that cotton is the most pesticide intensive crop in the world! These pesticides kill and harm many people yearly. Chemical defoliants (A chemical sprayed or dusted on plants to cause the leaves to fall off.) used in cotton harvesting also take a toll on the environment and human health. These chemicals typically remain in the fabric after finishing, and are released during the lifetime of the garment. 

Once the cloth bag is made, if it is bleached or dyed for aesthetic appeal water usage soars.  As the bag is washed, the dye can end up in rivers and treatment plants- yet another problem for the environment.

Plastic Used In Packaging

Why is so much plastic used in packaging our foods?  Plastics offer a combination of flexibility (both rigid and flexible), strength, lightness, impermeability, stability and ease of sterilization. Plastics food packaging does not affect the taste and quality of the foodstuff.  It actually offers an effective barrier that ensures that food keeps its natural taste while protecting it from contamination.  Plastic is so versatile that it can go from packaging fresh meat as well as oils and bottle beverages.  Add to that the fact that plastic weights a lot less than say glass or metal.  Lighter packaging means less transportation energy needed, and therefore less emissions.  So conceivably, if plastic went away in the food industry, would our oceans be cleaner but our air and run-off from roads be more toxic? Would we be replacing the toxins from plastic leaching in the ocean with gas and oil run-off in our body of water and air?

If plastic was not used in packaging foods, would we be able to see what was in the container? If glass containers were used, we could see the food, but the container would take up more space in the store, thus needing addional refrigeration space which would tax the environment. 

Plastic Used in Building Construction

What if plastic pipes were no longer available to use in homes? What if plastic was removed from insulation, window frames, and interior materials?  Copper piping has replaced pipes in many homes and construction projects.  Both plastic and copper leach potentially harmful things into the water. So if plastic pipes were gone, much heavier copper pipes would be used, which would incur higher transportation costs, and installation costs. Plastic pipes can bend for an easier installation situation.

Plastic Used in Transportation (Cars, Planes, Boats, etc)

Automobile manufacturers have a balancing act to contend with when they are designing a car.  They want fuel efficiency and strength; economically feasible pricing and reliability all with minimal environmental  impact. This is where plastic has the advantages.  Plastic components weigh 50 percent less than similar components made from other materials- which equates to 25-35% improvement in fuel economy.  Lighter cars means less carbon dioxide emissions over the operating life of the vehicle. Bumpers, seat belts, airbags and shock absorbers have made be strides by utilizing plastic.

The aerospace industry had embraced plastic designs to increase fuel efficiency, weight reduction while offering safety. Plastic went away, our planes would return to the planes of years gone by. On the surface it seems like plastic offers an advantageous solution.

Plastic Used In Electrical and Electronics

Plastic is used extensively in the electronics sector from phones, headsets, to wire to carrying current. Plastic parts make these items weigh less and consume less energy.  The invisible resource efficiency effect takes place as a result of using plastic parts. 

Plastic has the ability to isolate electrical currency, combined with their resistance to mechanical shocks and stress as well as flexibility and durability, makes them ideal for vital applications such as safe, reliable and efficient power supplies.  Without plastic in life, would we have the used of these products?

Agriculture and Plastic

No doubt about it, growing crops wouldn't be where it is today if we couldn't use various forms of plastic for greenhouses. Miles and miles of greenhouse structures cover our world filled with crops to feed society.

  What types of plastic are used for greenhouse growing? Polyolefin, Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Ethylene-Vinyl Accetate Copolymer (EVA), Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) and, in less frequently, Polycarbonate (PC) and poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA).. These plastics allow water to be saved, heat to be retained, and plants to grow in the off season.  Best of all, greenhouse plastic can be recycled and made into outdoor furniture, etc.

Growing Applications:

Plastic makes terrific greenhouse covers.  Plastic is used for mulching by maintaining humidly and reducing evaporation.  The heat also makes for ideal environment for the plant's root, while keeping weeds from growing.

Plastic liners are often used for making reservoirs, ponds, and storing water. It is used to store animal's grains and straw during the winter and are used for silage storage.  If plastic was not available for these applications, big barns would have to be erected, and a great deal of efficiency would be lost.

The list of items containing plastic goes on and on. Here is a partial list:

Is plastic sheeting flame resistant? No...  Can plastic sheeting be flame resistant? Again, no.  Not if you adhere to the definition that differentiates flame resistant and flame retardant, or fire retardant.

It's a bit tricky because more often than not, flame resistant and flame retardant are used interchangeably.  Here is the minute difference.

Flame resistant fabrics (notice the word "plastic" is missing here) are fabrics that are inherently flame resistant by their chemical nature.  If a fire is lit under a flame resistant fabric, it will prevent the spread of fire. They may burn, but they will burn slowly, and often self-extinguish.

Fire or flame retardant plastic (plastic sheeting) and fibers, are items which by themselves will burn if a flame is placed on it.  What makes some fabrics and plastics fire retardant is the special fire retardant chemicals that are either added to the  polymer while it is being formulated, or treated with these chemicals, which then makes the fabric or plastic fire retardant.  

Plastic sheeting made from polyethylene will burn big time when hit by flames.  The only saving grace to slow the fire is if the polyethylene is treated with a fire retardant chemical. Since plastic/ polyethylene is made from oil, it can really make a fire become a big fire in a hurry it ti's not treated with and FR additive.

When a flame hits fire retardant/ flame retardant plastic sheeting, the plastic just melts.

Better safe than sorry- FR plastic is the way to go to be safe.

What is Strapping?

Strapping has many names for the same product. It is called, "woven cord strapping", "woven polyester strapping", "woven poly strapping", "polyester cord strapping", and even "hand tie poly cord".  What do we mean when we speak of “strapping”?  Strapping is defined for this article as a flat material that is most often used for bundling and banding items to hold them in place. Strapping is also used to fasten or reinforce products. Strapping is used in agriculture, construction, shipping, packaging, lumber yards, and just about anywhere items need to be held together (contained) with something more than twine or string. There are different kinds of strapping- Steel strapping, plastic strapping, woven poly strapping.

Steel Strapping

Steel strapping is the winner when you talk about time on the market.  From what we can find, steel strapping, also called “steel banding”, was introduced in the late 19th century. Today steel strapping is made by “rolling” the metal to literally flatten it.  There are two types of rolled metal- “hot rolling” and “cold rolling”.  If the temperature of the metal is above its recrystallization temperature, then the process is known as hot rolling. If the temperature of the metal is below its recrystallization temperature, the process is known as cold rolling. Steel strapping also comes in a variety of thicknesses and widths as well as variations in the grade of steel. The industry refers to the strengths as “regular duty” and “High Tensile”. Break strengths can go as high as 12,500 pounds. Regular Duty (RG) strapping is usually a low carbon steel strapping produced for low to medium duty applications, e.g., package reinforcement, unitizing, bundling palletizing and box closure. Regular duty steel strapping can be used in manual and pneumatic tools, as well as automatic steel strapping heads.  High Tensile (HT): A high carbon steel strapping that is heat treated to produce a product which combines high strength and elongation (stretch) for shock resistance.   Typical applications are unitizing compressed fiber bales, securing heavy steel coils and open top rail car and trailer loading.   High Tensile strapping provides more footage per coil than heavy duty sizes of comparable break strength.

Steel is used for holding heavy loads where strength and minimal stretch are desired.  Steel strapping also has different surface finishes.  Some of the finishes include paint, paint and wax, bluing or zinc (galvanized) and wax. Galvanized steel is a process where the steel is “hot-dipped” in molten zinc to prevent corrosion.

While steel banding had its advantages, it also has its disadvantages.  Some steel strapping if left untreated has the potential to rust, and thus stain the cargo which it is touching.  It can also tear and/or scratch the cargo. If a steel band is cut from a bundle in a careless manner, the steel band most likely will lash and cause deep bounds.  In addition, since steel banding coil weigh so much when compared to other banding materials, many people also get injured from loading these coils into a dispenser. Another consideration is the cost.  Not only is steel expensive, but with fluctuating markets, budgeting is erratic.

Steel strapping is a less than ideal solution if the bundle should settle and become smaller.  Steel banding will remain the same size and will no longer hold the cargo securely. The best time to use steel is when the pallet weights are excessive- 4000 pounds or more. If the load has sharp edges, is a non-compressed bundle, and you need the strap to be the package security.,

PLASTIC STRAPPING

There are three types of “plastic strapping”. Let’s take a look at each one; polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. So to quickly answer the question, yes, plastic strapping and poly strapping are one in the same. It is how they are manufactured that makes the difference.

Polypropylene strapping is considered a light to medium duty strap. This economical option is best for light duty palletizing, unitizing, carton closing and bundling. It is used in all semi-automatic strappers and nearly all standalone arch machines It is manufactured in various thicknesses, widths and polymer variations. Often it is embossed or printed. Polypropylene strapping is most commonly used.  It is light and easy to apply and recycle.  It has high elongation and elongation recovery, but low retained tension. Polypropylene strapping will lose about 50% of the applied tension within one hour, and that this tension loss is accelerated with increases in ambient temperature. If the bundle is something that can take up the slack, then this is not such a huge issue.  If however the bundle is a solid brick such as a block of concrete, the slack will be problematic. Additionally, the sun and its UV rays are an enemy to polypropylene strapping. UV degradation can occur is the bundle is left outside in the sun.  If the polypropylene strapping has been treated with UV inhibitors, then the strapping will fare better in the sun.  

Polypropylene strapping can be printed which has marketing advantages for companies. The printing can also offer security.  It is available in manual and machine grade. It can be sealed with buckles, seals, heat seals or friction welds. Polypropylene can be used for loads up to 2000 pounds, has moderate settling, is light weight.

Nylon strap has the greatest “specific strength” of the three plastics.  Specific strength is defined as a material's strength (force per unit area at failure) divided by its density. It is also known as the strength-to-weight ratio or strength/weight ratio. In fiber or textile applications, tenacity is the usual measure of specific strength. While nylon is strong, its high price is a deterrent in today’s market.  Nylon has been replaced by polyester.

Polyester strapping is the third type of plastic strapping. Polyester and nylon are the strongest plastic strapping products and are used as an alternative to steel in some applications. Polyester strapping can be woven or nonwoven. The nonwoven strap referred to as  “composite straps’ consist of polyester filaments in a straight line that are encased in a polymer.  Woven Polyester strapping is even stronger than the composite straps  due to the filaments being weaved together.Woven polyester strapping can be applied using a ratcheting tensioner and a high joint efficient buckle.

Why is woven polyester strapping so popular?

• Polyester strapping retains excellent tension on rigid loads.  It also has excellent recovery properties to help a load absorb impact without the strap breaking.
• Woven poly strapping won’t stain or rust like steel strapping can.
• The soft nature of poly strapping won’t damage the bundle being secured.
• The polyester strapping won’t snap or break causing injury.
• It is lightweight and much easier to work with and dispose of.
• Both woven polyester and the composite strapping maintains its shape even under rigorous weather conditions.
• Resistant to high temperatures, ultraviolet rays and moisture.
• Polyester strapping can be printed.

Summary

Comparing steel, polyester, nylon and polypropylene strapping we find:

Steel:  Strongest, most expensive, least impact resistant, and lowest moisture resistance.

Polyester: Lowest notch sensitivity, second lowest cost behind polypropylene, best  impact,moisture and environmental resistance.

nylon:  It falls in the middle of steel and polypropylene.  It is second in cost to steel, had the highest elongation, but adequate moisture and environmental resistance.

Polypropylene: Least expensive, lowest break strength, and great environmental resistance.

The key to selecting the strapping is to know your load characteristics and the strapping attributes.Click to edit your new post...

What is Haunted House Plastic?

Haunted House Plastic is black plastic sheeting that has 2 distinguishing characteristics that other black poly sheeting products don't.

What 2 things set Haunted House Plastic apart?

1. Haunted House Plastic from Global Plastic Sheeting has an additive that makes the plastic FIRE RETARDANT!  That is a BIG deal!  It's an even bigger deal if you are planning a haunt for the public. You see, there is a chance that your friendly neighborhood fire marshal will stop by to insure your black plastic is fire retardant..... And what will the fire marshal ask to see?
2. YOUR FIRE CERTIFICATES! Yes, you will need to provide the NFPA 701-15 fire cert that proves that your black plastic sheeting that you spent days putting up has met the criteria so that it won't add to a fire should a fire occur.

Who issues these fire Certs?  There are various laboratories that has special equipment to test the plastic to make sure it doensn't burn.  Companies have to pay to have their products tested.  Additionally, the testing method can be upgraded. It's important to get the most recent test, which in this case is the NFPA 701-15 test.
  

Small- Medium- Large or 4 mil, 6 mil or 8 mil.  These are the thicknesses that the haunted house plastic come in.  It's just personal preference how thick of a poly sheeting you desire to work with.  Things to consider is where you are putting this plastic.  Are you putting it outside where it will have to hold up against the elements?  Will it be in an area where it will be left alone? Thinking about this can help you make the best decision for what thickness to purchase.

What about the tape? Don't forget about the fire retardant tape! Most likely you will need to adhere your plastic to a wall, or attach sheets together. This is where fire retardant tape can solve this issue!

Be safe and have a Happy Halloween!

Haunted House Plastic- Tip #1

Not all “Haunted House Plastic” is created equal. To be safe, use black fire retardant plastic that passes the NFPA 701-15 fire test.  This is the very best tip we can give you.WHY? Because any type of plastic sheeting, if it’s not fire retardant will burn like there is no tomorrow if it is exposed to a flame. Haunted houses usually equate to lots of people confined to small spaces- or rooms of a house.  Should someone use their lighter to light the path, and that flame hits the black plastic sheeting- you don’t want the plastic to accelerate the fire. You want the plastic to melt, but not go up in flames.

Haunted House Plastic- Tip #2

Get your certifications for your fire retardant black plastic or haunted house plastic.  WHY? Because if you are running a haunted house that is being used for fund raising or commercial purposes, you may get a surprise visit from your local fire marshal. It is his/her job to make sure your haunted house is safe. Safety equates with ample lighted exits and the use of fire retardant halloween props when possible. If they see any plastic sheeting used for walls or ceilings, they will want to see the documents in most cases.

Haunted House Plastic- Tip #3

Plan, plan, plan the layout of our haunt for better efficiency before you start sectioning it off.  When people decide to use black fire retardant plastic sheeting for walls- to section off a space, careful planning will yield the best flowing maze for your space. Sometime people think they will have plenty of space to create different rooms in a space.  By the time you add the props, actors, etc, you need room for your goblin visitors to be able to walk by and have room to jump back if you scare them! Taking masking tape and placing it on the floor before you start can give you a feel for each room. Some folks have told us they add the  Halloween props before they “build” the wall of black fire retardant plastic.

Haunted House Plastic- Tip #4

Did you know there is black fire retardant tape that will hold up your plastic? The tape is an important consideration as well. It’s also used to tape pieces of plastic together. You can get the necessary fire certs for this tape as well.  If you don’t want to use tape, there are your standard methods such as staples or small nails.  Another idea is to hang a rope across the the top of the walls and drape the haunted house plastic over it.  One haunt created a “haunted bathroom” with a very bloody looking bathtub.  The shower curtain was our GPS Black Fire Retardant Plastic. At just the right moment, a bloody monster would slide the curtain open and scare the guests.  They used a recording of a shower running- and the guest just knew something horrible was going to appear from behind that shower curtain!

Haunted House Plastic- Tip #5

To use or not to re-use the next year?  So what do you think? Do you want to get a heavy mil thickness of fire retardant black plastic with the intention of re-using it next year? Or do you want to get the thinner mil (4 mil) and toss it when Halloween season is over? Companies that specialize in offering a wide variety of plastic sheeting products can offer you string reinforced plastic sheeting that is much thicker and stronger than the thinner black plastic that is used.  This string reinforced  plastic is really strong. It is used outdoors, and stands up to the elements. This plastic sheeting can be folded up and used time and time again. Keep in mind that it is heavier than other plastic sheeting products, so it will need a little more tape, or a few more staples to support it.

Have a Wonderful Halloween!  Keep the spirit alive. Halloween puts so many smiles of the faces of the young and old alike!

Remember 1984 when eight young people died at Six Flags in the Haunted Castle when a fire broke out in the haunt? It only took three and a half minutes after the fire began for the entire attraction to be engulfed by flames.  It was this incident that prompted several changes to the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

When you are planning your Haunted House- begin by consulting with your local fire authority. Their guidelines will provide fire safety standards and regulations for the construction and operation of temporary haunted attractions/events that are open to the public. Generally these guidelines will apply not only to temporary haunted houses, but ghost walks and similar entertainment venues where combustible decorative materials and distracting audio/visual effects are present.Your haunted house may have to conform to the International Building Code for temporary buildings or structures. 

In California for example, the requirements listed in the guideline were derived from the California Building Code (CBC), California Fire Code (CFC), and California Code of Regulations, Title 19.  Check with your municipality for a similar document.

Why is this imperative....aside from the obvious that lives must be protected, the fire marshal can shut you down on the spot if you don't meet the necessary criteria. In many states, a fire safety inspection is required prior to occupancy.

Below are images of the haunted Castle at Six Flags before and after the fire.

BLACK PLASTIC THAT IS FIRE RETARDANT:

Black plastic is a favorite for creating walls and covering ceilings. The key is to make sure it is certified, "fire retardant"  Here is what the California fire safety manual states:

"All decorative materials (decorations, drapes, backdrops, and props) shall be either inherently flame retardant and labeled as such, or treated with a flame retardant registered with the California State Fire Marshal. Any material not appropriately labeled or certified as fire retardant shall be flame tested and approved by OCFA."

If you are going to use black plastic sheeting, insure that it is fire retardant. Make sure the rolls come with the appropriate documents certify that the plastic is fire retardant and will not burn and add to a fire should one develop. 

Some states require the following: "Avoid use of combustible material in displays.  If used, combustibles must be treated with an approved commercial flame‐retardant treatment.  Samples of all such materials must be submitted to this office for flame tests prior to use."  

Be ready to provide a piece of the black plastic sheeting to the fire marshal should he/she want to test it to make sure it is fire retardant.  To see the difference between fire retardant plastic and non-fire retardant plastic sheeting when a flame is present, click here to watch this short demonstration video. 

With a little planning, your haunted house can be a smashing success!  

And now for a little trivia:

Below is a quick internet search for the figures.  They may not be entirely current- but never the less, they are entertaining!

How many haunted attractions exist in the United States?

The Haunted House Industry estimates there are between 1,200- 2,000  haunted attractions charging admission. In addition it is estimated that over 300 amusement facilities producing some sort of Halloween or Haunted House event. Additionally it is estimated there are over 1000 charity attractions.

What is the attendance figures for these Halloween events?

It is estimated that typical haunted attractions average around 8,000 paid guests. A major amusement park such as Knotts Scary Farms attracts over 300,000 paid guests in October alone. On a busy night the mega amusement parks like Universal might host over 35,000 guests!

Skrim...have you seen it used before? Or should it be, "Scrim"?  Or maybe it is spelled, "Skryrim"?  No- it's "Skrim" right?

According to some lisings on the internet, Skrim is a mountain of Buskerud, in sourthern Norway! Really? Did you know there was such a mountain named, Skrim?

What about Skrim spelled, "Skyrim? Again when searching for "Skrim" you come up with Skyrim which is an action role-playing video game! Did we get that right?

Then we find that "skrim" is also spelled, "scrim"!  Scrim is another word for gauze- a very light textile made from cotton or sometimes flax. Scrim can be light weight and translucent which makes it very useful when making curtains. Scrim is also used in making book bindings and upholstery. Scrim is well-known for it's use in the theater. There is a variety that is used for special effects. This variety of scrim/skrim is called, "sharkstooth scrim".  In the theater world, if someone uses the word scrim, they can be referring to a thin screen made out of a wide variety of materials.  Scim can have a rectangular weave.

Where does that leave "scrim"?  There is another plastic sheeting product called, "Poly Scrim".  This is  polyethylene plastic with layers of string reinforcement placed between the layers of poly to make a strong plastic sheeting product that won't tear, and can stand up to wind and harsh conditions, In this case, scrim is referring to the string mesh that is placed within the plastic sheeting. When string reinforcement, often made of nylon, is added to plastic, it allows for hems, drains, elastic cord, webbing handles and more to be made from the plastic.  Poly Scrim can also be made in a fire retardant version. Now you have a skrim/scrim/string reinforced plastic sheeting product that has a multitude of uses.

There you have it- a look at the word, "skrim" and it's many adaptations.