Pallet Stretch Wrap Terms

Stretch wrap film is one of the most popular methods of securing a load to a pallet for shipment. We recommend frequent reviews of your pallet stretch wrapping application because new film formulations come to market on a regular basis. Many of the new films will greatly improve performance while reducing cost. With decades of experience, we can assist you in finding the right film for your needs. Below is a glossary of commonly used stretch wrap terms.

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A-Load Pallet. Industry standards designate a palletized load with a uniform shape and no sharp edges or protrusions as an "A-load".

B-Load Pallet. Industry standards designate a palletized load with a somewhat irregular shape and a moderate degree of sharp edges or protrustions as a "B-load".

Blown/Cast Stretch Wrap Films. Refers to the two types of extrusion processes used to manufacture stretch film. Cast films offer greater clarity and tear resistance, whereas blown films offer greater puncture resistance. Process improvements in both extruding methods have narrowed the quality differences.

C-Load Pallet. Industry standards designate a palletized with a highly irregular shape and many sharp edges or protrusions as a "C-load."

Clarity. Blown films tend to be more hazy than cast films, allowing less light to pass through. High clarity films give wrapped loads an attractive appearance, but can sometimes interfere with scanning processes, due to increased light reflection.

Cling. The characteristic of a pallet stretch wrap film to cling to itself (but not the products it is wrapping). Tackifiers are added to film during the manufacturing process to enhance a film’s cling.

Gauge/Micron. The two most common units of measure to express the thickness of stretch film. Common film thicknesses are 50, 60, 70, and 80 gauge. To find the equivalent thickness in microns, multiply gauge by .0254.

Hand Stretch Wrap Films. Films that are delivered to a pallet manually, typically with a hand held stretch wrapping tool.

LLPDE. Linear Low Density Polyethylene.

LPDE. Low Density Polyethylene.

Machine Stretch Wrap Films. Films that are delivered to a pallet through a fully automatic or semi automatic stretch film machine. The most common machine film roll width is 20”.

Memory. The elastic characteristic of pallet stretch wrap that makes it want to return to its pre-stretched length. Stretch film memory exerts holding force on a wrapped load, keeping items packed tightly together for secure shipment.

Metallocene. A chemical compound found in some stretch film resin formulations. Metallocene gives film superior clarity and puncture resistance characteristics.

Micron/Gauge. The two most common units of measure to express the thickness of pallet stretch wrap. Common film thicknesses are 50, 60, 70, and 80 gauge. To find the equivalent thickness in microns, multiply gauge by .0254.

Neckdown. As a film is stretched and loses a percentage of its original roll width, the film is necking down. Different films produce differing degrees of neckdown when stretched. The more a film necks down, the more film is required to provide full coverage around the pallet.

One Side Cling Stretch Film. Film with tackifier predominantly on one side only. One side cling films are effective for applications where wrapped pallets are tightly packed in a truck, rail car, or warehouse storage. When the smooth side of the film faces out, wrapped loads can be easily moved in and out of position without tearing the film or damaging adjacent pallets.

Prestretch. Some automatic stretch film machines prestretch film before delivering it to the pallet. Most prestretch systems, especially powered prestretch units, significantly increase film stretch, thereby reducing film usage and improving film performance. Prestretching film also reduces neckdown.

Roping. Gathering or bunching stretch film as it is being applied to the pallet, allowing the film to perform a banding/strapping function. Roping can be done with a hand stretch wrapping tool or on automatic stretch wrappers equipped with a roping attachment.

Tackifiers. Chemicals added to a film during the manufacturing process to increase its stickiness, or cling.

Tailing. When a film unravels from a wrapped pallet, it is tailing. Tailing compromises load integrity and creates safety hazards in shipment and handling. Tailing can be caused by poor quality film and/or environmental and application factors.

Tear Resistance. The ability of a stretch film to resist tearing, frequently measured using the Elmendorf Test.

UVI Stretch Films. UVI, or ultra-violet inhibiting films, are specially treated to prevent film from degrading under prolonged exposure to UV light. UVI stretch films are used to wrap materials being stored outdoors such as construction materials and horticultural supplies.

Wide Web Films. Stretch films 40" wide and up are referred to as wide web films. These films remain in a fixed position on the stretch wrap machine rather than cycle up and down, resulting in faster wrapping cycles, but often with less force to load.

Zippering. The tendency of a film tear or puncture to propagate, or widen. Excessive zippering, a characteristic common in low quality films, greatly compromises load integrity.

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