Classification and Selection Guide for Release Films
Release films (also known as peeling films or release liners) are functional films coated with a special release agent to form a low-surface-energy layer. This layer effectively isolates adhesive materials (e.g., adhesives, resins) to prevent sticking during processing, transportation, or storage, while ensuring easy peeling in subsequent operations. Below is a multidimensional analysis of release film classification and key selection considerations:
1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Release Film
Characteristics: PET-based, with high-temperature resistance, excellent mechanical strength, transparency, and strong chemical stability.
Applications: Protective films for electronics, adhesive tapes, labels, flexible printed circuits (FPC), optical films, etc.
2. PE (Polyethylene) Release Film
Characteristics: PE-based, with good flexibility, chemical resistance, low-temperature performance, and low cost, but poor high-temperature resistance.
Applications: Food packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, building material protection, low-end tapes (e.g., industrial tapes), etc.
3. PP (Polypropylene) Release Film
Characteristics: PP-based, with high-temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and non-toxicity. Superior temperature resistance compared to PE, but lower transparency.
Applications: Adhesive products, medical device packaging, food packaging, electronic component protection, hygiene products (e.g., diapers), etc.
4. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Release Film
Characteristics: PVC-based, with good flexibility and transparency, but poor temperature resistance.
Applications: Advertising printing, packaging materials, labels, electronic product protection, etc.
5. PC (Polycarbonate) Release Film
Characteristics: PC-based, with high strength, transparency, and impact resistance.
Applications: Protective films for high-end electronics, optical devices, medical equipment, etc.
6. PI (Polyimide) Release Film
Characteristics: PI-based, with ultra-high temperature resistance (>300°C), chemical corrosion resistance, and excellent dimensional stability.
Applications: High-end electronics (e.g., FPC lamination, semiconductor packaging), aerospace composite materials, etc.
7. Fluoroplastic Release Film (e.g., PTFE, FEP)
Characteristics: Ultra-strong chemical corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, extremely low surface energy, and easy peeling.
Applications: Specialty adhesives, high-temperature composite material molding, chemical industry, etc.
1. Silicone Release Film
Characteristics: Coated with silicone release agent, with stable release force, good temperature resistance, and compatibility with various adhesive materials. However, silicone transfer may occur when used with silicone adhesives.
Applications: Tapes, labels, electronic protective films (non-silicone adhesive), medical packaging, etc.
2. Non-Silicone Release Film
Characteristics: Uses non-silicone release agents (e.g., acrylic, polyurethane), suitable for silicone-sensitive materials to avoid contamination.
Applications: Silicone adhesive protective films, electronic components, optical films, food packaging, etc.
3. Fluorinated Release Film
Characteristics: Coated with fluorinated release agent, with extremely low surface energy, ultra-light release force, high-temperature resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. Most expensive type.
Applications: High-end tapes, optical films, electronic component protection, etc.
III. Classification by Release Force Level
Release force refers to the force required to separate the film from adhesive materials, directly affecting peeling ease:
1. Light Release Film (5–15 g/25mm)
Characteristics: Low release force, easy peeling, suitable for low-adhesion materials.
Applications: Temporary protective films, low-adhesion tapes, labels, etc.
2. Medium Release Film (15–50 g/25mm)
Characteristics: Moderate release force, suitable for most adhesive materials.
Applications: Electronic protective films, double-sided tapes, labels, etc.
3. Heavy Release Film (>50 g/25mm)
Characteristics: High release force, suitable for high-adhesion materials or scenarios requiring multiple peeling operations.
Applications: High-adhesion tapes (e.g., heavy-duty tapes), optical films, medical packaging, etc.
1. Electronic Release Film
Characteristics: High cleanliness, low static electricity, high-temperature resistance, suitable for electronic component protection and processing.
Applications: FPC, PCB, electronic display protection, etc.
2. Optical Release Film
Characteristics: High transparency, low haze, high flatness, suitable for optical device protection.
Applications: LCD/OLED displays, touchscreens, optical lenses, etc.
3. Medical Release Film
Characteristics: Compliant with medical-grade standards, non-toxic, odorless, high-temperature resistant, suitable for medical product packaging.
Applications: Medical tapes, dressings, surgical gowns, medical device packaging, etc.
4. Industrial Release Film
Characteristics: Good mechanical properties, chemical corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, suitable for industrial protection and processing.
Applications: Building material protection, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, etc.
1. Single-Sided Release Film
Applications: Single-sided tapes or materials requiring single-sided protection.
2. Double-Sided Release Film
Applications: Double-sided tapes or scenarios requiring isolation on both sides (e.g., adhesive storage).
3. Functionalized Release Films
Anti-Static Type: Prevents static adsorption, suitable for electronic component processing.
High-Transparency Type: For optical materials (e.g., OCA optical adhesives).
High-Temperature-Resistant Type: For high-temperature lamination processes (e.g., PI release films).
Matte/Frosted Type: Reduces glare, facilitating printing or lamination.
1. Substrate Performance: Match temperature resistance, mechanical strength, and chemical stability with application requirements.
2. Release Force Matching: Align release force with adhesive tackiness to avoid peeling difficulties or accidental detachment.
3. Surface Flatness: Critical for adhesive coating uniformity (e.g., stringent requirements in electronics).
4. Environmental Compliance: Must meet standards like RoHS, REACH in certain industries.
VII. Typical Application Scenarios
1. Mobile Phone Screen Lamination: High-transparency PET release film for OCA optical adhesive carriers.
2. Carbon Fiber Prepreg Production: High-temperature PI release film for resin isolation.
3. Medical Tapes: PE release film provides a soft, easily tearable peeling layer.
4. Lithium-Ion Battery Coating: Fluoroplastic release film resists electrolyte corrosion.
By selecting the appropriate release film type and parameters, production efficiency and product quality can be significantly improved. In practical applications, testing and validation under specific process conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, adhesive type) are essential.
Topwin is one of the leading professional manufacturers and solution providers with more than 20 years of experience, and has domestic top-level engineers in the silicone surfactant industry. Specializing in research and development, production, sales, and marketing of silicone-based special functional performance materials, Topwin also serves as a professional provider of technical services. Our products are mainly used in Polyurethane Foam, Corp Protection, Coatings and Inks, Leather and Textile, Silicone Release Coating for Paper and Film, Personal Care, and others.
