Is Mylar the Same as Polyester?
The short answer is yes! Mylar®, and its sister brand Melinex®, are brand names of polyester film created by Mylar® Specialty Films (formerly DuPont Teijin Films™). Much like the brand Kleenex® is often used to generally describe facial tissues, Mylar® might be used synonymously with polyester or plastic films.
Brand Name Offering The Same Key Properties
Mylar® is created in a process that was touched on with a previous Tekra Fundamental! First, molten polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer is extruded onto a chill roll drum to form film. The film is then biaxially oriented by being stretched first in the machine direction (MD) and then in the transverse direction (TD). This orientation is accomplished by passing the film over rollers that run at increasingly faster speeds (MD orientation), and then feeding it into a stenter frame where it is pulled at right angles (TD orientation). This stretching rearranges the PET molecules into an orderly structure, which substantially improves the film’s mechanical properties. Finally, the film is heat set to stabilize it. This ensures the film will not shrink again until exposed to its original heat set temperature.
Mylar® provides the same key properties as Polyester Film. Those key properties include:
- Excellent temperature resistance
- Strong tear initiation and puncture resistance
- Superior chemical resistance
- Ease of handling on high-speed equipment
- Excellent oil, grease or moisture-barrier resistance
The Top of the Line: Mylar® Film
Mylar® polyester film from Mylar® Specialty Films (formerly DuPont Teijin Films™) has been a trademark in the industry for more than 60 years. In applications ranging from electronics to graphics markets, Mylar® has been a staple due to:
- Balanced Tensile properties
- Good Adhesion
- Excellent moisture
- Chemical resistance
- Handling with extreme temperatures
Mylar® has been on top of the market for many years and is only continuing to grow within the polyester film industry.
Tekra is an authorized distributor of Mylar® Specialty Films (formerly DuPont Teijin Films™), and we offer product innovation, market knowledge and technical expertise. We welcome the opportunity to better understand your polyester requirements and will provide both technical & commercial guidance for matching the right film to your specifications.
Feel free to contact Tekra at 1-888-988-5546 to discuss your Mylar® polyester film needs.
