What is 20 mil Plastic Sheeting? What is 20 mil Reinforced Plastic?

20 mil plastic sheeting comes in different configurations. Overall, 20 mil plastic sheeting that is virgin polyethylene* is a high strength poly film that is very durable and dependable for many projects. Selecting the best one for your job makes a difference. Just like tennis shoes are for sports, dress shoes, while being a shoe will not serve you will on the tennis court or football field.

Plastic sheeting additives which improve/ changes the configuration of the film:

Anti-static:  An anti-static additive can be added to polyehtylene to make it resist sparking.  Anti-static films are used in the telecommunication industry as one example.  Certain types of equipment can be prone to sparks which could result in a devistating fire.  Anti-static fire retardant films solve this problem.

UV Stabilizers:  Sunlight eats up plastic.  Perhaps you have seen black plastic on piles of dirt that are flapping in the wind? That is because that torn plastic didn't have any UV stabilizers to combat the strong rays of the sun. Heavy duty plastic sheeting adds these stabilizers for films that will be used for ponds, covering anything outdoors, exposed to sun light. 

Color/Pigment:  It's no surprise that pigment can be added to polyethylene to make the plastic look a certain color.  Just about any color can be created.

Flame/Fire Retardant:  Plastic goes up in a flash if it is exposed to an open flame.  Today there are fire retardant films that when exposed to a flame will not add to the fire. They will self extinguish.  Note that the plastic may melt, but it won't be a fuel souce to the fire.

Sip/Anti-block agents:  This additive is used to improve film to film slipping.

External Coatings:  Coatings can be applied to the surface of the plastic, which is designed to help wet out the surface of the film.  This in turn decreases the contact angle of the water dropplets and improves transparancy.

20 mil Plastic Sheeting Configurations

• 20 mil string/scrim reinforced white or black film.  It is made from high-strength virgin polyethylene* that makes up the layers of film which have a layer of string/string to reinforce the plastic sheeting. It is configured in a grid for added strength. Additives can be incorporated into the film to give in enhanced performance. Additives include thermal and UV stabilizer to increase the outdoor life. Carbon black can also enhance the outdoor life.

Common applications for 20 mil string reinforced plastic sheeting include:

Crawl space Liners *  Vapor barriers *  Remediation Covers *  Modular tank liners *  Erosion Control Covers *  

• 20 mil HDPE Plastic Sheeting  This poly film is made from HDPE which is high density polyethylene. HDPE has outstanding chemical resistance, mechanical properties, environmental stress crack resistance, dimensional stability and thermal aging characteristics. It has resistance to UV radiation and does exceptionally well outdoors. GPS HDPE Meets or exceed all aspects of GRI GM 13.  It is made into geomembranes that can be flexible, depending on the thickness. HDPE is considered one of the varieties of polyethylene. HDPE is made from petroleum.  It has a high strength-to-density ratio. HDPE is used world wide.

HDPE plastic sheeting can be used for ponds *  reserve water storage *  canals *  landfills *  to contain and transport potable water and other liquids *  as a waterproof facing for masonry and concrete dams...and the list goes on and on.   The geosynthetic industry uses HDPE plastic sheeting  to protect the environment.  HDPE can protect the environment from petroleum products, hydrocarbons, saltwater, fuel, acids and more. HDPE plastic sheeting is used as a secondary containment liner to collect dangerous liquids from seeping in the ground. Learn more here.

For a selection of 20 mil plastic sheeting products, click here.

Crawlspace 2000- For a white and bright crawl space with a 20 mil film.

• A multi-ply laminate containing a high strength cord grid for stability
• Made from 100% Virgin Polyethylene resins (a very high quality polyethylene)
• Weight:  93 LB/1000 SQ FT
• Temperature range:  Minimum: -40°  F, Maximum:  170° F
  
  

*Virgin Polyethylene is definded as brand new, never used before polyethylene that is free from debris or regind for recycled plastic. That makes it stronger and more dependable.