Protective Film 5 mil PE
Protective Film 5 mil PE is a 5 mil clear polyethylene film with a permanent Acrylic (A100) adhesive system supplied in a single-sided construction on a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) backing. Engineered for general-purpose sealing, splicing, indoor surface protection, bondbreaker, and industrial fabricating applications, it delivers 50 oz/in adhesion to steel per ASTM D3330, 11 lb/in tensile strength, and 400% elongation. Operating temperature spans −40°F to 190°F. The film is conformable, transparent, and offers excellent moisture barrier properties with no edge bleed and excellent long-term stability.
Key Properties
- Adhesion to Steel: 50 oz/in (ASTM D3330)
- Tensile Strength: 11 lb/in (ASTM D3759)
- Elongation: 400%
- Operating Temperature: −40°F to 190°F
- Adhesive Type: Acrylic (A100), Permanent
- Thickness: 5 mils
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
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Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Thickness | 5 mils | — |
| Color | Clear | — |
| Material / Substrate | Polyethylene | — |
| Backing / Carrier | LDPE film | — |
| Adhesive System | Permanent Adhesive | — |
| Adhesive Side | Single Side | — |
| Adhesive Type | Acrylic (A100) | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Tensile Strength | 11 lb/in | ASTM D3759 |
| Elongation | 400% | — |
Adhesion Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Adhesion to Steel | 50 oz/in | ASTM D3330 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Operating Temperature | −40°F to 190°F | — |
| Recommended Application Temperature | 50°F to 120°F | — |
Shelf Life / Storage
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Shelf Life | 12 months from shipment date when stored at 77°F | — |
| Recommended Storage Conditions | 40–60% humidity, 60–80°F | — |
- General-purpose sealing where moisture barrier and conformability are required
- Splicing and seaming applications in industrial converting and fabrication
- Indoor surface protection where permanent bond and visual transparency support inspection
- Bondbreaker tape applications in composite layup, casting, and material processing operations
- Temporary hold-down and material processing in industrial fabricating workflows
Common industries: Industrial manufacturing, composite layup, material processing, fabrication, packaging, surface protection.
Protective Film 5 mil PE is a clear polyethylene protective film constructed with a 5 mil LDPE film carrier coated with a permanent Acrylic (A100) adhesive system. Despite the “Protective Film” product name and “removable adhesive” reference in the description, the technical data table specifies the adhesive system as Permanent — a meaningful distinction from the truly removable PolyMask and Low Tack Protection Film products.
The 50 oz/in adhesion to steel is high for a protective film and is consistent with permanent bonding behavior, supporting use in applications where the film must remain securely in place under handling and processing stresses.
Typical applications span general-purpose sealing, splicing and seaming, indoor surface protection, bondbreaker tape, temporary hold-down, material processing, and industrial fabricating. The film is conformable for irregular surfaces, transparent for visual inspection of underlying components, and provides excellent moisture barrier properties making it suitable for applications where water intrusion must be prevented during processing or storage.
Mechanical properties include 11 lb/in tensile strength per ASTM D3759 and 400% elongation, supporting handling durability and application over contoured surfaces. The TDS notes the film will not crack or crease, with a permanent bond exhibiting virtually no edge bleed and excellent long-term stability. Operating temperature is −40°F to 190°F, with a recommended application temperature of 50°F to 120°F.
Shelf life is 12 months from shipment date when stored at 77°F (40–60% humidity, 60–80°F).
What differentiates Protective Film 5 mil PE from PolyMask and Low Tack Protection Film grades?
This film uses a permanent Acrylic (A100) adhesive system at 50 oz/in adhesion to steel — between the 12 oz/in 5188 PolyMask and the 80 oz/in 5180C PolyMask in adhesion strength, but with permanent rather than removable adhesive chemistry. It is designed for industrial applications where the film must remain securely bonded — sealing, splicing, bondbreaker, hold-down — rather than for surface protection where clean removal is the primary requirement. The 5 mil thickness is also heavier than typical 0.005" surface protection films.
Why is adhesion important when selecting this film?
The 50 oz/in adhesion to steel reflects a permanent bond design. For sealing, splicing, and bondbreaker applications, the adhesive must hold reliably under processing conditions — including elevated temperature, mechanical stress, and moisture exposure — without edge lift or migration. The TDS specifically notes "permanent bond with virtually no edge bleed and excellent long-term stability," which matters for applications where bond perimeter integrity affects functional performance.
What is the operating temperature range for Protective Film 5 mil PE?
The film has an operating temperature range of −40°F to 190°F, with a recommended application temperature of 50°F to 120°F.
Is this film suitable for moisture-exposed or barrier applications?
Yes. The TDS rates moisture barrier properties as Excellent, supporting use as a sealing or barrier layer in industrial processing environments where water or vapor intrusion must be prevented. No specific regulatory compliance standards are listed on the TDS for this material.
How should Protective Film 5 mil PE be specified?
Specify product (Protective Film 5 mil PE), thickness (5 mils), backing (LDPE film), color (Clear), adhesive type (Acrylic A100), application category (sealing, splicing, bondbreaker, surface protection, or industrial fabrication), compliance requirements, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
