Polyester (Mylar / PET)
Polyester Film
Polyester film delivers dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and electrical insulation in thin gauges where rigid sheet won't fit. K&R stocks print-grade Mylar for graphic overlays, durable labels, and industrial applications.
At a glance
- Specific gravity
- 1.40
- Service temp range
- -100°F to 300°F
- Tensile strength
- MD 25,000 / TD 28,000 psi
- Stock gauges
- .001, .002 (heavy gauge to 14 mil custom)
Applications
- Durable labels and decorative laminates
- Poster displays and overhead transparencies
- Folding-carton windows
- Graphic overlays and membrane-switch face film
- Electrical insulation and dielectric film
- Stencils and drafting film
- Hot-stamping foil carrier
Features & benefits
- Highest clarity available across film substrates.
- Superior chemical and heat resistance — service range -100°F to 300°F.
- Pre-treatment available for solvent-based inks and coatings.
- Double-sided high-adhesion surface for laminating applications.
- Excellent dimensional stability — minimal shrinkage at temperature.
- Tensile strength and tear resistance unmatched in thin-gauge films.
Print & process compatibility
| Method | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toner / Laser | ✓ treated | |
| HP Indigo | ✓ treated | |
| UV Inkjet | ✓ treated | |
| Solvent Inkjet | ✓ | |
| Screen | ✓ | |
| Offset | ✓ treated | |
| Litho | ✓ treated |
Available surfaces, finishes & gauges
| Surface / finish | Description | Stock gauges |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss / Gloss | Near-perfect visibility with high scratch resistance. | .001, .002 |
| Treated Polyester | Surface-treated for ink and coating adhesion. | Specify on order |
| Heavy-Gauge Polyester | Available in gauges to 14 mil for industrial and graphic-overlay use. | Custom |
Typical properties
Typical of average lots. Job-specific qualification recommended for production runs — request a sample.
| Property | Typical value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | ||
| Specific gravity | 1.40 | ASTM D 792 |
| Average thickness range | 50 – 1,000 gauge (0.5 – 10 mil) | ASTM D 374 |
| Yield (200–500 ga) | 9,900 – 4,000 in²/lb | — |
| Yield (700–1000 ga) | 2,800 – 2,000 in²/lb | — |
| Mechanical | ||
| Tensile strength at break (200–500 ga) | MD 25,000 psi · TD 28,000 psi | ASTM D 882 |
| Tensile strength at break (700–1000 ga) | MD 24,000 psi · TD 28,000 psi | ASTM D 882 |
| Elongation at break | MD 90 % · TD 80 % | ASTM D 882 |
| Coefficient of friction | Static 0.55 · Dynamic 0.50 | ASTM D 1003 |
| Optical | ||
| Haze (50–250 micron) | 0.7 – 2.5 % | ASTM D 1003 |
| Thermal | ||
| Shrinkage at 150°C / 30 min | MD 2.5 % · TD 1.5 % | ASTM D 1204 |
| Service temperature range | -100°F to 300°F | — |
Fabrication & converting
Treated polyester accepts ink and adhesives reliably across high-volume converting. Heavy-gauge stock available for graphic overlays and membrane-switch face film.