4040 Low Tack Protection Film
4040 Low Tack Protection Film is a 3 mil polyethylene temporary protective mask coated with a solvent-free water-based acrylic removable adhesive. Designed for semi-smooth surface protection, it delivers 2.0 to 4.0 oz/in adhesion to steel — a deliberately low-tack window calibrated for clean residue-free release on polished #3 and #4 stainless steel, aluminum, countertops, stone slabs, and tile. Available in clear, blue, and white. Tensile strength is 11 lb/in² with 325% elongation.
Key Properties
- Adhesion to Steel: 2.0 to 4.0 oz/in (PSTC-101)
- Tensile Strength: 11 lb/in² (PSTC-131)
- Elongation: 325% (PSTC-131)
- Tack Level: Low
- Adhesive Type: Water-based acrylic (solvent-free)
- Thickness: 3 mils (PSTC-133)
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Thickness | 3 mils | PSTC-133 |
| Color | Clear, blue, and white | — |
| Material / Substrate | Polyethylene Film | — |
| Adhesive System | Removable Adhesive | — |
| Adhesive Side | Single Sided Adhesive | — |
| Adhesive Type | Water-based acrylic | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Tensile Strength | 11 lb/in² | PSTC-131 |
| Elongation | 325% | PSTC-131 |
Adhesion Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Adhesion to Steel | 2.0 to 4.0 oz/in | PSTC-101 |
| Tack Level | Low | — |
- Temporary protection of polished #3 and #4 stainless steel and aluminum surfaces during fabrication and handling
- Countertop, stone slab, and tile protection during fabricating, storing, transporting, delivering, and installing
- Construction and renovation surface protection against paint spills, dust, and construction debris
- Move-in protection for finished surfaces in commercial and residential interior installations
- Semi-smooth surface masking where low-tack residue-free release is the primary design requirement
Common industries: Stone fabrication, countertop manufacturing, construction and renovation, metal fabrication, surface protection.
4040 Low Tack Protection Film is a temporary protective mask designed for semi-smooth surface applications including polished #3 and #4 stainless steel, aluminum, countertops, stone slabs, and tile. The construction pairs a 3 mil polyethylene film backing with a solvent-free water-based acrylic adhesive system, formulated as a removable adhesive with a deliberately low tack level.
The 2.0 to 4.0 oz/in peel adhesion window is engineered for clean release without residue — the primary design objective for surface protection films, where any adhesive transfer or visible mark on the protected surface defeats the product’s purpose.
Typical applications span fabricating, storing, transporting, delivering, and installing finished countertops, stone slabs, and tile. The film is also used in construction, renovation, and moving operations where finished surfaces must be protected against damage, stains, paint spills, dust, and construction debris.
The water-based, solvent-free adhesive system is positioned as a sustainable formulation, suitable for environments where solvent emissions are a concern. Tensile strength is 11 lb/in² with 325% elongation, providing handling durability without compromising film conformability. Available in clear, blue, and white film colors — color selection is typically driven by application visibility requirements and end-customer preference.
What differentiates 4040 from higher-adhesion protective films?
4040 is specifically formulated as a low-tack mask — adhesion to steel is 2.0 to 4.0 oz/in, substantially lower than the 12 oz/in of 5188 PolyMask or the 80 oz/in of 5180C PolyMask. This deliberate low-adhesion window is calibrated for clean residue-free release on finished surfaces like countertops and stone, where higher-tack films could cause adhesive transfer or surface marks. Select 4040 when surface integrity matters more than adhesion strength.
Why is adhesion important when selecting this film?
For temporary surface protection films, adhesion must be high enough to hold the film in place during handling and shipping but low enough to release cleanly without residue or surface damage. The 2.0–4.0 oz/in window for 4040 is the design specification for that release behavior on semi-smooth surfaces — too low and the film won't anchor; too high and it will damage finished surfaces.
What is the operating temperature range for 4040?
The TDS does not publish a service temperature range for this film. Specifiers requiring temperature service data should contact H-O Products directly.
Is 4040 suitable for environmentally regulated or VOC-sensitive applications?
Yes. The TDS describes the adhesive as solvent-free and "sustainable," positioning the water-based acrylic as appropriate for applications where solvent emissions must be minimized. No specific regulatory compliance standards are listed on the TDS for this material.
How should 4040 be specified?
Specify product (4040 Low Tack Protection Film), thickness (3 mils), color (clear / blue / white), substrate type (semi-smooth surfaces such as polished stainless, aluminum, countertops, or stone), compliance requirements, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
