You can tell a lot by the names given to the two types of calendered vinyl. Mono – signifies one, Poly – intends numerous and – Meric means organization or unit. Monomeric and Polymeric describe the type of plasticiser used to create the finished vinyl. Cast vinyl is not a calendered vinyl (but uses the same plasticiser as a polymeric vinyl) and the disagree manufacturing process for cast establishes a more stable and durable vinyl. Calendered vinyls are manufactured differently applying a rolling process, which is more stressful and results in less dimensional stability of the material.
What is Vinyl?
Vinyl is made from Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) material, which is a synthetic man-made substance. It is a type of plastic that is made from Chlorine (found in salt) and Ethylene( is located within crude oil ). When processed, the substances combine to figure PVC resin? or vinyl.
How is Calendered Vinyl stimulated?
First the ingredients are melted; as they cool, the molten PVC is rolled through calendering rollers to achieve the final width, thickness and surface finish.
Calendered vinyl is cheaper to build than cast vinyl because it does not need solvent to make it, there is no casting( mould) costs and it yields a lower vitality expense in its fabrication. As a answer the finished product does not have the same resilience that cast vinyl does, but is perfectly adequate for a lot of applications.
How is Cast Vinyl made?
Cast vinyl is produced by turning the ingredients which make up the finished vinyl ( PVC resin, plasticiser, colourant if need be ) into a paint like essence by the use of a solvent. When Matt, semi-gloss or gloss vinyl is necessitated then the mould film will reflect that texture.
The vinyl is then dried and cured at a high temperature to sort a flexible movie. The temperature involved in creating the vinyl is much higher than that used in any application of the finished product and is also the reason why this type of vinyl is able to withstand the twisting and hot without deterioration, deterioration or warping of the finished product.
What is a Plasticiser?
A plasticiser is a substance, which when added to the PVC promotes flexible and reduces brittleness. Without plasticisers, PVC produces are hard and brittle and they would shatter if you were to bend or flex them.
Monomeric vinyl uses the plasticisers with a small molecule size, which has more molecular migration and as a result it has more impression on any adhesives used.
Polymeric vinyl is established use long-chain plasticisers with a large molecule size that bind well into the vinyl. This alliance has less molecular migration and also has less influence on any cements used.
Monomeric Vinyl
This is a popular vinyl, due to its rate and the fact that it is ideal for flat surfaces, which is perfectly adequate for the great majority of signage requirements. It has a short to medium life span of approx. 2-5 years, but it does have? a tendency to diminish. Therefore, these vinyls are best for indoor, flat applications. They can also be used for short-term outdoor applications.
Why choose monomeric?
Ideal for standard, flat applications
Lower in price
Short to medium life? enough for most usage applications
Why decide against monomeric?
Not is ideal for uneven surfaces
Can suffer from shrinkage
Polymeric Vinyl
Polymeric vinyl is best for both indoor and outdoor applications, including mild curves. It has a medium-term life span of approx. 5? 7 years, which is longer than monomeric vinyl. Polymeric vinyl is more resistant to shrinkage than monomeric vinyl and is more stable.
Why choose polymeric?
Longer life span
Less shrinkage
Ideal for flat and somewhat curved applications.
Why decide against polymeric?
Can be pricey compared to monomeric.
The next time you ask yourself what type of calendered film should you use, remember this:
| Monomeric Film: | Polymeric Film: |
| Tends to shrink Flat short-term applications 2 – 5 Year outdoor durabilityEconomically priced | Less shrinkage mild / soft curves medium-term applications 5 – 7 Year outdoor durability Moderately priced |
Cast Vinyl
Cast vinyl is a premium, high quality vinyl with a lifespan of approx. 8-10 years. It is soft, thin and flexible, which constitutes it ideal for vehicle wrapping on cars and vans for instance. Unlike calendered? movies, cast vinyl will not diminish or draw back to its original formation when exposed to heat ( such as a hot handgun ).
Why choose cast?
Even longer life span.
Won’t pop out of even the most severe recesses.
Soft, flexible and thin.
Why decide against cast?
Price can be a factor, but if durability and high-pitched conformity is what you need then cast vinyl is the way to go.