When it comes to selecting plastic sheeting for various applications, understanding mil thickness is crucial. Mil, short for millimeter, is a unit of measurement used to express the thickness of plastic sheeting. Each mil represents one-thousandth of an inch or 0.001 inches. While the differences between 3 mil, 4 mil, and 6 mil may seem small, they can have a significant impact on the sheeting's strength, durability, and suitability for different tasks. I
A "mil" is a measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. Most human hair is one-thousandth of inch, or 0.001 inch = 1 mil. There are 1000 mils in an inch. To convert inches to mils, multiply the inch value by 1000. As you increase the mils from 1 to 2 to 3 and so on, the thickness goes up or increases. The bigger the mil "usually" the stronger the plastic sheeting. There are exceptions to this.
When you add string or scrim as it is called to the plastic a 6 mil string reinforced plastic sheeting film is stronger than a regular 6 mil plastic sheeting film.
How do you know if you need a 3mil film, a 6 mil film and so on?
Check this chart out....Or you may call us and we will assess your situation and make suggestions.
Heavy Duty Plastic Sheeting- what is it? It first boils down to what job will the plastic sheeting be required to perform? A six mil reinforced film can be considered "heavy duty" when it is used to cover a desk to keep it clear of dust. That same "heavy duty sheet" would not be strong enough to line a land fill. Understanding the strength and thickness of the film, it's composition and additives and chemical make-up as well as the job it has to perform will help determine if a film is fit for the job at hand. It is critical that the film not only be assessed on it's mil thickness. For example, if the film is in the sun, it needs UV protection additives to maintain its strength.
Thickness |
Plastic Sheeting Mil Thickness Uses |
1-2 mil |
Economical/ light duty protection for indoor painting • Covering equipment • pallets • furniture during painting |
3 mil |
Self-Adhesive plastics for: Counters, Carpeting, Floors, Hardwood, Tile, Bath Tubs C&A Films: Painting, Covers (thickness equivalent is a plastic shopping bag) |
6 Mil
|
Barge Liners/ Liners • Construction Enclosures • Temporary Erosion Control • Construction Enclosures • Remediation CoversTemporary liners or Covers • Shipping and Packaging•Insulation Membranes • Curtains•Job Site Covers • Vapor Retarders • Lumber Covers • Cargo Wraps·Silage Covers • Greenhouse Plastic • Heat Shrink Wrap • Anti-Static Equipment Covers |
8 Mil |
Temporary walls, plant dividers, building enclosures and containment tents, Shipping container covers and liners, Floor covers, dust partitions and clean room enclosures, Pallet, cask and drum covers for outside storage, Pallet. Cable reel and drum covers for outside storage., Architectural vapor retarder in walls and ceilings and in roofing systems. |
10 Mil |
Pond/Canal Linings • Outdoor Coverings • Remediation Liners • Cargo Oil Field Pit Liners • Silage Covers• Unexposed lining applications Construction Enclosures • Vapor Retarders • Asbestos Abatements • Fumigation Covers•Insulation Membranes • Temporary Walls-Curtains • Job Site Coverings • Temporary Wall Remediation Covers• Temporary Erosion Control -Thickness equivalent would be 10 sheets of paper. |
12 Mil |
Daily Land fill Covers • Cargo Covering • Interim Landfill Covers• Remediation Covers or Liners • Outdoor Covers •Temporary Rainshed Covers |
14 Mil |
Protective Coverings for decks on Navy ships, Coast Guard Fleet, Megayachts, Commercial Flooring, Hospitals, Laboratories, Government Facilities, and Power plants. |
15 Mil |
Under-slab Vapor Barrier • Foundation Wall Vapor Barrier |
20 Mil |
Aquaponics liners • Vapor Retarders • Daily Landfill Covers • Interim Landfill Caps • Erosion Control Cover • Under-slab Vapor Retarders • Earthen Liners • Grain Storage |
24 Mil |
Hay Covers |
30 Mil |
Containment Liners • Oilfield Pit Liners • Fish Hatchery Liners • Canal Liners • Interim Landfill Covers • Outdoor CoversRoot barrier, pit liners, soil remediation, canal liner |