Shrink wraps are made up of polymer plastic which tightly covers any object on the application of heat. A shrink machine is used to apply heat to these wraps. These are light in weight and can be used to wrap any material. The heavier versions of these wraps are used for industrial purposes. They are commonly used to cover large equipment, construction scaffoldings—such as those used for bridges and buildings—helicopters, and other large vehicles. Additionally, shrink wraps serve as an effective solution for storage and protection.
Shrink wrap is applied using a specialized roll designed for shrink wrapping. Once the film is wrapped around an object, heat is applied using one of the following methods to shrink the film tightly around it:
- Heat Gun: A heat gun emits a controlled stream of hot air, similar in appearance to a hairdryer but operating at much higher temperatures. It provides precision heating, making it ideal for small or irregularly shaped items.
- Oven: A thermally insulated chamber, similar to a household oven, is used to evenly heat the shrink wrap. This method is effective for batch processing of multiple items.
- Shrink Tunnel: A shrink tunnel consists of a heated chamber mounted over a conveyor belt. As wrapped items pass through, the heat causes the film to shrink uniformly, making this method ideal for high-volume packaging operations.
Shrink wraps can shrink in either one direction (unidirectional) or two directions (bidirectional). During manufacturing, the film is heated and stretched before being cooled, locking it into an expanded state. When heat is applied during packaging, the film returns to its original size, tightly conforming to the object for a secure and protective wrap.
Beyond its functional benefits, shrink wrapping enhances the visual appeal of packaged products. It also acts as a tamper-proof seal, making it ideal for items such as CDs, DVDs, stationery, games, and computer software.
With continuous technological advancements, shrink film quality has significantly improved. Modern shrink films offer superior shrink capability, sealing performance, clarity, durability, and slip properties. These enhancements have made shrink films a preferred packaging material across various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, and construction.
When it comes to efficient packaging, both shrink wrap and plastic wrap are commonly used. However, they are often mistaken for one another because both are made from plastic. Despite this similarity, they serve different purposes. While household shrink wrap may occasionally be used like plastic wrap, industrial shrink wrap is specifically designed for more demanding applications, such as securing and protecting products during storage and transportation.
The key difference between shrink wrap and plastic wrap lies in their applications. Shrink wrap is designed to wrap and secure a wide range of products, while plastic wrap is primarily used for covering food items. Other notable differences include:
1. Shrink Wraps are thicker than Plastic Wraps.
2. Shrink Wraps need heat to shrink whereas Plastic Wraps can cling to the object's surface without any adhesive.
3. Domestic Shrink Wraps generally come as plastic bags with one end open. On the other hand, Plastic Wraps come as rolls in boxes that have a cutting edge.
4. Shrink wrap is stronger and more durable than plastic wrap.
5. Shrink wrap requires an external heat source to seal and conform to items, while plastic wrap can be easily cut using the built-in cutting edge on its box and applied directly.
6. Shrink wrap is versatile, used for packaging everything from small bottles to large equipment like helicopters, with warehouse shrink wrap designed for heavy-duty applications. In contrast, plastic wrap is primarily used for covering food items such as bread, jars, and cans.
7. While shrink wrap is not used for medical purposes, plastic wrap can serve as a temporary first-aid covering for burns.
While shrink wrap can sometimes replace plastic wrap for household use, the reverse is not true—plastic wrap cannot perform the functions of shrink wrap. On an industrial level, both materials serve distinct purposes and should not be used interchangeably.
Since shrink wrap and plastic wrap are designed for different applications, it's important to use them appropriately. Using shrink wrap in place of plastic wrap, or vice versa, can lead to ineffective results, so always choose the right material for the task at hand.
