The definition for “foil” derives from the Latin word “folium”, which means folio. The beginnings of foils go back to the 16^th century, whereas it should be mentioned that at that time a little metallic glossy sheet (of gold leaf) was named by the term foil. This served as the base for enclosed gemstones. Meanwhile the term foil has been extended a lot and describes various products like for example metallic foils, plastic foils, cling film, plastic bags or transparencies. The latter are used as carrier material for overhead projectors.

 

The single plastic foil itself is thinner than 1mm and is at first produced as an endless sheet and afterwards cut into the requested length. Plastic foils are preferred for packaging purposes, as construction foil for cleading or covering but also for insulation purposes.

 

One of the most important features of plastic foils is certainly that they can adapt to the form of other objects without any problems when wrapping them. Furthermore, they have a high tensile strength and elongation of break, a fact that brings them a high degree of toughness. Concerning the colour plastic foils are very flexible, from transparent to chequered figured everything is possible, a fact that is confirmed on the market with the variety of products over and over again.

 

Foils are produced by extrusion. The term comes from. During this process plastics and other semifluid and temperable materials are pressed through a nozzle. Favoured and commonly used materials are among others polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride or polycarbonate. The extrudate – which is the plastic – is at fist homogenized and melted with an extruder. Then compression is built in the extruder for the flow through the nozzle.  Afterwards the plastic can congeal in a water-cooled calibration.

 

By adding a vacuum the form is finally defined. Very often a cooling section which goes through a cooled water bath follows. Afterwards the hoses are mostly winded around rolls.

 

You are in search of a foil producer or foil wholesaler whom you would like to contact? In our B2B catalogue you will find producers as well as products for which you can search. In the community area you will get the possibility to contact exhibitors, wholesalers, purchasers that are concerned with paper and packages.