How good is the electrical insulation of PE plastic film?
Jan 19, 2026
As a supplier of PE plastic film, I often get asked about the electrical insulation properties of our products. In this blog post, I'll delve into the science behind the electrical insulation of PE plastic film, explore its real - world applications, and discuss how our offerings stack up in the market.
Understanding the Basics of Electrical Insulation
Electrical insulation is the ability of a material to resist the flow of electric current. Materials with high electrical resistance are good insulators. When an electric field is applied to an insulating material, very little current passes through it because the electrons in the material are tightly bound to their atoms and are not free to move easily.
PE, or polyethylene, is a thermoplastic polymer made from the monomer ethylene. It has a simple molecular structure consisting of long chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. This molecular structure gives PE some unique properties, including good electrical insulation.
The electrical insulation of PE plastic film is primarily due to its non - polar nature. In non - polar molecules, the electrons are evenly distributed, and there are no significant charge imbalances. As a result, there are few free charge carriers available to conduct electricity. This makes PE an excellent choice for applications where electrical insulation is required.
Measuring the Electrical Insulation of PE Plastic Film
There are several key parameters used to measure the electrical insulation properties of a material, and PE plastic film is no exception.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric strength is the maximum electric field that a material can withstand without breaking down and allowing current to flow. For PE plastic film, the dielectric strength is relatively high. It can typically withstand electric fields in the range of several tens of kilovolts per millimeter. This high dielectric strength means that PE film can be used in applications where it needs to insulate against high - voltage electrical systems.
Volume Resistivity
Volume resistivity is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current through its bulk. PE plastic film has a very high volume resistivity, on the order of 10^14 to 10^16 ohm - centimeters. This high resistivity indicates that very little current will flow through the film when an electric potential is applied across it.
Surface Resistivity
Surface resistivity measures the resistance to current flow along the surface of the material. PE plastic film also has a high surface resistivity, which helps prevent the flow of current across its surface. This is important in applications where the film may be exposed to contaminants or moisture, as a high surface resistivity can reduce the risk of surface leakage currents.
Real - World Applications of PE Plastic Film's Electrical Insulation
The excellent electrical insulation properties of PE plastic film make it suitable for a wide range of applications in the electrical and electronics industries.
Cable Insulation
One of the most common applications of PE plastic film is in cable insulation. In power cables, the film is used to separate the conductive cores from each other and from the outer sheath. The high dielectric strength and low electrical conductivity of PE ensure that the cable can safely carry high - voltage electricity without the risk of short - circuits or electrical breakdown.
Capacitor Dielectrics
PE plastic film is also used as a dielectric material in capacitors. Capacitors store electrical energy by separating positive and negative charges on two conductive plates, with a dielectric material in between. The high dielectric constant and low loss tangent of PE make it an ideal choice for capacitor applications, as it allows for efficient energy storage and low power dissipation.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
In PCBs, PE plastic film can be used as an insulating layer between different conductive layers. This helps to prevent electrical interference between the various components on the board and ensures the proper functioning of the electronic device.
Our PE Plastic Film Offerings
As a supplier, we offer a variety of PE plastic films with different thicknesses, widths, and electrical properties to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
Our PE Cling Film Jumbo Roll is not only known for its excellent cling properties but also has good electrical insulation characteristics. It is suitable for applications where a flexible and easy - to - use insulating material is required.
The PE Cling Wrap we provide is another popular product. It can be used in electrical applications where a thin and conformable insulation layer is needed.
Our PE Mushroom Film is specifically designed for certain specialized electrical applications. It has been engineered to have enhanced electrical insulation properties while maintaining other important physical properties.
Quality Assurance
We take quality very seriously. Our PE plastic films are manufactured using state - of - the - art production processes and are subject to rigorous quality control measures. We test each batch of film for its electrical insulation properties, including dielectric strength, volume resistivity, and surface resistivity, to ensure that it meets or exceeds industry standards.
Comparing with Other Insulating Materials
When compared to other common insulating materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and rubber, PE plastic film has several advantages.
PE is more chemically stable than PVC, which means it is less likely to degrade over time due to exposure to chemicals or environmental factors. It also has a lower water absorption rate than rubber, which helps to maintain its electrical insulation properties even in humid conditions.
Environmental Considerations
In addition to its excellent electrical insulation properties, PE plastic film is also relatively environmentally friendly. It can be recycled, and our company is committed to promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. We are constantly exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of our products while maintaining their high - quality performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the electrical insulation of PE plastic film is quite good. Its high dielectric strength, volume resistivity, and surface resistivity make it a reliable choice for a wide range of electrical and electronics applications. As a supplier, we are proud to offer high - quality PE plastic films that meet the strictest industry standards.
If you are in the market for PE plastic film for your electrical insulation needs, we encourage you to reach out to us for a detailed discussion. We can provide samples, technical specifications, and pricing information to help you make an informed decision. Whether you need a small quantity for a prototype or a large - scale order for mass production, we have the capabilities to meet your requirements. Contact us today to start the procurement process and explore how our PE plastic film can benefit your projects.
References
- "Electrical Insulation Materials: Properties and Applications" by John Wiley & Sons
- "Polymer Science and Engineering" by Carl A. Harriss
- Industry standards for electrical insulation testing, such as ASTM D149 for dielectric strength testing.