Mylar is a material that can be used in helium-filled balloons, emergency blankets, solar filters, and for storing food for a longer time. If you’ve used any of these before, you’ve likely encountered Mylar. But what exactly is Mylar or Mylar bags? In this guide, you will get the answer. So keep reading below.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material is used in the making of Mylar. This material is also called biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET). If we see its construction then a polyethylene film can be seen. To make Mylar, they vaporize aluminum inside a vacuum chamber and bond it to a polyester sheet, creating PET and forming the Mylar film.
Afterward, the PET is placed on a roller and stretched biaxially, first in one direction and then in the transverse direction, using a specific machine. Moreover, the film bears the tension at a temperature over 200 degrees. As a result of this process, a smooth BoPET film is produced.
What Material is Mylar Made Out Of?
Mylar is invented by a company known as DuPont. They were the ones who initially produced and sold BOPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) films.
BOPET is a type of polyester film derived from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is known for its high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, transparency, reflectivity, gas and aroma barrier properties, and electrical insulation.
Over time, the trademark “Mylar” became widely recognized, and BOPET bags started being referred to as “Mylar bags” in the market. It’s similar to how “daypack” is used instead of “stand-up pouches.” This illustrates the influence of a well-known brand.
What Is Mylar Used For?
Mylar has a wide range of uses, both at home and in commercial settings. It is commonly employed for emergency food storage due to its durability and flexibility, making it perfect for packaging materials. Additionally, Mylar’s strength and excellent shelf life make it an ideal choice for solar technology and electrical insulation.
Furthermore, Mylar’s transparent nature and resistance to moisture, acids, and oils make it highly suitable for preserving important documents. As a result, the US Library of Congress utilizes Mylar to safeguard crucial records.
Interestingly, Mylar’s shiny and transparent appearance makes it a preferred choice for consumers as a decorative element for gifts. In short, high-quality Mylar stands as the most widely used and recognized polyester film in the market.
What Kind of Style Does Mylar Bags Have?
It has different styles. But many producers use three sides sealed Mylar bags to store the food for a longer duration. But remember, there are other styles of Mylar bags as well.
- Vacuum bags(3-side seal pouches)
- Flat bottom bags
- Gusset bags
- Stand up pouches
How to Printed Mylar Bags?
An increasing number of merchants are opting for mylar bags with printed logos to expand and promote their brands. These printed mylar bags are budget-friendly and easy to use for packing and delivery. Moreover, the printing effect on mylar is of high quality, enabling customized printing at a low cost.
The process of 3 kinds of printing
Printing on Mylar bags is just as easy and efficient as printing on other types of flexible packaging. Below you can find some popular printing options that are available in the market.
- Flexography
- Silkscreen printing
- Gravure
In conclusion, the printing process is available for Mylar bags, with varying costs. Additionally, it is feasible to use labels as an alternative to printing directly on the packaging.
What Are The Various Uses of Mylar?
Insulation
Mylar has a reflective property similar to aluminum foil, resulting in a shiny and dull side. It can reflect up to 99 percent light and has low gas permeability, making it perfect for insulation.
In cold environments, use the shiny side of Mylar facing inward to reflect and retain escaping heat, keeping the interior warm. On the other hand, in warm environments, keep the reflective surface outside to reflect the sun’s heat and maintain a cool interior.
Packaging
It has the best use in the storing of different food items. In addition, you can use various packaging bags like coffee foil pouches, yogurt lids, and roasting bags. Further, you can also use die cut mylar bags for packaging purposes and can enhance your brand image too. It provides excellent barrier properties, flexibility, and puncture resistance, making it perfect for foil bags.
These qualities also make Mylar ideal for packaging pharmaceutical products, tissue samples, and seeds since these items are sensitive to changes in oxygen and moisture levels in the environment.
Emergency Blankets
Mylar is used to make reflective emergency blankets that reflect body warmth back to the individual. These blankets are a great addition to outdoor survival kits and are beneficial for shock victims. Marathon runners also use these blankets to stay warm after running.
Hydrogenic Gardening
Hydroponic gardeners grow plants indoors with nutrient-enriched water and use metalized Mylar sheets on the walls near the gardening system. These sheets reflect wasted light back to the plants, improving indoor garden lighting efficiency and promoting faster plant growth.
Musical Instruments
Mylar is a thin material used to cover one or both ends of an open drum. When stretched over the drum’s edge, it creates the desired tone, pitch, and consistency for music.
Other Industry Uses
It has also been used in other industries like window applications.
- Mylar is widely used in stamping various foils due to its reliability.
- Its stability and strength make it an excellent choice for creating labels.
- Mylar tags are one of the most common applications of Mylar. They are preferred for their ability to withstand harsh conditions and remain resilient.
Is Mylar Better for Child Resistance?
The idea of child-resistant Mylar bags arose when parents discovered that children could easily open the original Mylar bags. In today’s time, you can choose any bag between two types. First is non-reusable and second is reusable. In addition, if you select non-reusable bags then you can place items inside them for only once. Because these types of Mylar Packaging bags are having permanent seals. So that you can’t use them for more than one time.
Child-resistant features are added to these bags through a sealing mechanism combined with a heat-sealing section that needs to be bent and torn open at a specific point. On the other hand, reusable Mylar bags have a flexible opening mechanism, making them perfect for multiple uses.
