34 PRACTICAL SIGN + DIGITAL GRAPHICS ISSUE 84 JULY/AUG 2016 www.SignAfrica.com FEATURE AN INTRODUCTION TO FLAT SURFACE VINYLS BY STEVEN MATTHEE, DNA SERVICES TRAINING & CONSULTING The quality of Calendered films range from Economy to Intermediate, with durability of one to five years. Calendered vinyl’s are ideal for flat surface installaons as the film does not need to be stretched or conform around curves or corners. Calendered Monomeric vinyl is more suited to indoor installaons as there are no adverse effects from UV exposure or fluctuaons in surface temperature. Calendered Polymeric vinyl is suited to outdoor installaons, posions that are in direct sunlight and are being exposed to full UV exposure and other weather condions. The ingredients in the polymeric film allow the film to contract and expand. All of the vinyl suppliers in South Africa have their ranges of Calendered films, varying from digital print films to pre-pigmented colours and decorave ranges. Take the me to research various products available from suppliers and distributors and compile a database and pricelists for your use. Implement good record keeping, there is nothing worse than having to look for the same informaon twice. CALENDERED VINYL/FILMS Calendering is a process that results in a more rigid material, which assists with handling and resistance to abrasion. The term 'calendered', refers to the manufacturing process. It is also named 'Intermediate, Short Term or Economy'. The calendered vinyl ingredients are mixed and heated into a molten state (resembles pizza dough), then extruded through a die and fed through a series of calendering rolls. The differences in roller speeds, distance between rollers and pressure on materials all contribute to the final thickness of the finished product. These polished steel rollers progressively stretch and squeeze the vinyl into a flat sheet. As stated, during this process, the vinyl is stretched and therefore develops a memory. Because of this memory, the vinyl will tend to shrink when exposed to heat for long periods of me. The quality of calendered films can range from Economy to Intermediate with durability of one to five years. CALENDERED VINYL: MONOMERIC AND POLYMERIC The plascisers used in the mixing process determine whether a material is Monomeric or Polymeric. Both are suited for indoor applicaons. Polymeric films, however, perform beer for outdoor applicaons. Monomeric outside fitments have a limited life-span, restricted to three to five years. Polymeric outdoor fitments on the other hand have a life-span of five to seven years. Polymeric films have beer shrink resistance than monomeric films. The different monomeric and polymeric plascisers basically determine the flexibility and soﬅness of the film. ADVANTAGES AND USES OF CALENDERED FILMS • Larger producon runs equals less cost. • Thicker film equals easier handling. • Thickness of material contributes to abrasive resistance. Calendered films are ideal for flat surface fitments that do not require the film to be stretched or conform around contours. DNA Services Training & Consulng (+27 11) 238 7984 www.dnaservices.co.za

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Page 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO FLAT SURFACE VINYLS - DNA Services › images › 1st_article_Sign_Africa.pdf · 2020-02-12 · AN INTRODUCTION TO FLAT SURFACE VINYLS BY STEVEN MATTHEE, DNA SERVICES

34 PRACTICAL SIGN + DIGITAL GRAPHICS ISSUE 84 JULY/AUG 2016 www.SignAfrica.com

FEATURE

AN INTRODUCTION TO

FLAT SURFACEVINYLSBY STEVEN MATTHEE, DNA SERVICES TRAINING & CONSULTING

The quality of Calendered fi lms range from Economy to Intermediate, with durability of one to fi ve years. Calendered vinyl’s are ideal for fl at surface installati ons as the fi lm does not need to be stretched or conform around curves or corners.

Calendered Monomeric vinyl is more suited to indoor installati ons as there are no adverse eff ects from UV exposure or fl uctuati ons in surface temperature. Calendered Polymeric vinyl is suited to outdoor installati ons, positi ons that are in direct sunlight and are being exposed to full UV exposure and other weather conditi ons. The ingredients in the polymeric fi lm allow the fi lm to contract and expand. All of the vinyl suppliers in South Africa have their ranges of Calendered fi lms, varying from digital print fi lms to pre-pigmented colours and decorati ve ranges. Take the ti me to research various products available from suppliers and distributors and compile a database and pricelists for your use. Implement good record keeping, there is nothing worse than having to look for the same informati on twice.

CALENDERED VINYL/FILMSCalendering is a process that results in a more rigid material, which assists with handling and resistance to abrasion.

The term 'calendered', refers to the manufacturing process. It is also named 'Intermediate, Short Term or Economy'. The calendered vinyl ingredients are mixed and heated into a molten state (resembles pizza dough), then extruded through a die and fed through a series of calendering rolls. The diff erences in roller speeds, distance between rollers and pressure on materials all contribute to the fi nal thickness of the fi nished product. These polished steel rollers progressively stretch and squeeze the vinyl into a fl at sheet.

As stated, during this process, the vinyl is stretched and therefore develops a memory. Because of this memory, the vinyl will tend to shrink when exposed to heat for long periods of ti me.

The quality of calendered fi lms can range from Economy to Intermediate with durability of one to fi ve years.

CALENDERED VINYL: MONOMERIC AND POLYMERICThe plasti cisers used in the mixing process determine whether a material is Monomeric or Polymeric. Both are suited for indoor applicati ons. Polymeric fi lms, however, perform bett er for outdoor applicati ons. Monomeric outside fi tments have a limited life-span, restricted to three to fi ve years. Polymeric outdoor fi tments on the other hand have a life-span of fi ve to seven years. Polymeric fi lms have bett er shrink resistance than monomeric fi lms. The diff erent monomeric and polymeric plasti cisers basically determine the fl exibility and soft ness of the fi lm.

ADVANTAGES AND USES OF CALENDERED FILMS• Larger producti on runs equals less cost.• Thicker fi lm equals easier handling.• Thickness of material contributes to abrasive resistance. Calendered fi lms are ideal for fl at surface fi tments that do not require the fi lm to be stretched or conform around contours.

DNA Services Training & Consulti ng (+27 11) 238 7984

www.dnaservices.co.za