Tenolan® film

Tenolan® film – Properties, Applications, and Processing

Tenolan® is a biaxially oriented PET film (BOPET) with excellent mechanical and thermal properties, used in numerous industrial applications. This article is aimed at professionals in purchasing, engineering, construction, and development who need reliable films for demanding processes.

As a brand for high-quality polyethylene terephthalate films, Tenolan® stands for high mechanical stability, resistance to chemicals and temperatures, and excellent electrical insulation properties. In the following, you will learn about the specific properties, advantages, typical applications, and processing options of these BOPET films in an industrial environment.

What exactly is Tenolan® film?

Tenolan® refers to a family of biaxially oriented polyester films based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These BOPET films are widely used in the film market when it comes to products with the highest strength and dimensional stability.

During production, the PET film is stretched in both longitudinal and transverse directions – a process that aligns the molecular structure and increases the crystallinity to 40–60%. Tensile strength is typically in the range of approximately 140–210 MPa (depending on type and thickness).

Tenolan® films are available in thicknesses from 6–150 µm and are provided in rolls or as sheets for industrial production.

Technical properties and advantages of Tenolan®

The physical and chemical properties of Tenolan® are crucial for B2B customers, as they determine the suitability for specific industrial applications and directly influence process reliability.

Mechanical properties:

• High tear strength and tensile strength in machine and transverse direction (MD/TD) – tensile strength depending on type, often in the range of ~140–220 MPa; >200 MPa for certain versions/thicknesses
• High dimensional stability under load

Thermal properties:

• Permanent temperature resistance from -20 °C to +140 °C, depending on type up to +150 °C
• Certain heat-resistant types are designed for up to +220 °C (type-dependent)
• Low shrinkage: type-dependent; e.g. max. 0.1–2.0% or 1.5–2% (ASTM D1204, 150 °C/15 min); other types higher – ideal for laminating and deep-drawing
• Glass transition temperature at approx. 75 °C, melting point at 260 °C (generally PET)
• Excellent dimensional stability during printing processes with increased drying temperature

Chemical and electrical properties:

• Very good resistance to solvents, oils, fats, and many acids
• Water vapor permeability of only 1–2 g/m²/day possible with special types
• Low oxygen permeability

Processing and design advantages:

• Suitable for demanding printing processes: flexographic, gravure, offset, and digital printing
• Transparent, matte, or white pigmented versions available
• Surface treatments (corona, primer) for optimal printability and laminating properties

Standard types and available variants of Tenolan® film

Tenolan® exists as a product family with several types that are tailored to different applications and industries. The product overview includes:

• Transparent standard BOPET films: clear, transparent, for packaging and laminates & technical applications
• Matte and low-gloss Tenolan® types: for design and label applications with reduced gloss
• White and opaque films: with pigmentation for opaque applications
• Colored variants: specially developed for packaging technology and further processing
• Films with chemical coatings: for further processing / adhesion
• Sealable films
• Metallized types: for reflection and design applications
• Films with PCR content: Post Consumer Recycling content of 30-99%
• Flame-retardant films: according to the standard classes

Available thickness ranges:

• 8–12 µm: typical for flexible packaging
• 23–150 µm: e.g. for electrical insulation and technical films
• 50 µm and above: among other things for demanding technical applications

The selection of the appropriate type should always be done in coordination with the planned application, the further processing steps, and relevant standard requirements. Individual advice supports the optimal material decision.

Industries and industrial applications for Tenolan® films

Tenolan® films are used in numerous industries, especially where high demands are placed on stability, transparency, and temperature resistance:

• Medical and pharmaceutical industry: Use in sterile packaging, diagnostics, and medical applications where hygiene and material compatibility are of great importance.
• Electrical industry: Use as insulating films in transformers, motors, cables, as well as in printed circuits, OLED technologies, flat screens, and capacitors. The excellent electrical insulation properties and high temperature resistance make Tenolan® the ideal choice for these applications.
• Printing industry: Tenolan® films serve as a dimensionally stable printing medium for flexographic, offset, and screen printing processes. They offer high abrasion resistance and excellent surface quality, making them the preferred carrier films for high-quality printed products.
• Furniture industry: Use as protective and decorative film for surface finishing, thanks to scratch-resistant and durable properties.
• Packaging industry: Use for flexible packaging that is cold and heat resistant, as well as for sterile packaging of food and technical products.

Consulting and support in the selection and processing of Tenolan® films

Pütz Folien offers comprehensive advice on the selection of suitable Tenolan® films for specific requirements. Aspects such as film thickness, surface finish, pre-treatment (e.g. corona), printability, and further processing are taken into account to ensure optimal results when processing Tenolan® films.

Thanks to modern technology and high quality standards, Tenolan® films are an indispensable material in many industries and applications.

Quality, standards, and certifications of polyethylene terephthalate films

Quality assurance is crucial for process reliability and end product quality in industrial films. Tenolan® meets relevant standards for various industries.

Typical quality standards:

• Production according to ISO 9001 (quality management) as an industry standard
• Food law conformity according to EU Regulation 10/2011 for food contact types
• FDA conformity for export to corresponding countries
• Migration below 10 mg/dm² – compliant with international requirements
• Electrical standards and internal specifications for insulation materials

Tolerances and specifications:

• Defined thickness and width tolerances according to technical data sheets
• Optical test values: haze, gloss (>80% for standard types), transmission (92%)
• Mechanical test values: tensile strength, elongation, tear strength according to standardized methods
• Electrical characteristics: dielectric strength, surface resistance

Current technical data sheets and declarations of conformity should be requested for each project specification.

Sustainability and recycling of Tenolan® PET films

The importance of sustainability in the film market is growing continuously, and PET-based materials such as Tenolan® offer relevant advantages here.

Recyclability of PET:

• Tenolan® based on PET is generally easily recyclable with single-variety material streams
• PET recycling rates in Europe at about 50% – significantly higher than with PVC (10–15%)
• Difference between mono-material solutions (PET/PET) and complex composites (PET/AL/PE)
• Mono-material structures facilitate the return to recycling cycles

Reduction of material usage:

• Thinner BOPET films possible thanks to high strength – material savings of 15–20%
• Longer product life due to high resistance – less waste and scrap
• Lighter packaging with the same protective function

Development and innovation:

• Possible rPET content (recycled PET) in certain film types
• Trend towards 30% market share of recycling content films by 2030
• Use of secondary raw materials in manufacturing will be further expanded

FAQ about Tenolan® films

Here, frequently asked questions about Tenolan® BOPET films are answered in a compact manner.