Barrier Properties of Films
When it comes to choosing the right structure of laminates for your product it is important to take a look at the barrier & functional properties of various commonly used packaging films.
For instance in the below table aluminium foil scores 10 out of 10 in all parameters determining the shelf life of products which clearly suggests that any laminate structure involving aluminium foil as one of the layer will be best in terms of barrier properties and shelf life of the product.
| Material | Water Vapour | Gas Barrier | Odour Barrier | Water Resistance | Oil Resistance |
| Aluminium Foil 0.009mm | *10 | *10 | *10 | *10 | *10 |
| Polythene (LDPE) | 7 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 5 |
| Polyester | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| PE Coated Paper | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Waxed Paper | 5 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 |
| PVDC Coated Paper | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
COMPARISION OF TRANSMISSION RATES FOR VARIOUS FLEXIBLE PACKAGING MATERIAL
| Material | MVTR | OTR* | Odour Barrier | Water Resistance | Oil Resistance |
| g/m2 24 hrs | cc/m2 24 hrs | *10 | *10 | *10 | |
| 38°C | at atmospheric temperature | 3 | 10 | 5 | |
| 90% rh | and pressure | 8 | 10 | 8 | |
| Polyester Film / Aluminium Foil/ LDPE Film Laminates | less than 0.01 | less than 0.006 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| 12 Micron Metallised Polyester Film | 0.7 to 2.0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 |
| 12 Micron Metallised PET/ Adhesive / 50 Mic LPDE Film | 0.4 | 0.6 | 8 | 6 | 8 |