How Does Lamination Bond Film onto a Molded Fiber Tray?
Lamination bonds a continuous film onto the formed tray using heat and vacuum, creating a complete sealed layer. Understanding the flow and variables is the basis for judging any supplier's process capability.
Four-Step Process Flow
The standard flow from unwind to finished part.
1. Unwind & preheat
Film roll unwinds and preheats to its softening point.
2. Contact & heat
Film meets the tray inside the bonding temperature window.
3. Vacuum forming
Vacuum draws the film fully onto the tray surface.
4. Cool & trim
Pressure-hold and cooling set the film; servo trimming finishes.
Four Process Variables
The controllable variables that decide quality.
Temperature
Bonding window and in-plane uniformity.
Time
Allocation across contact, bonding and dwell.
Vacuum
Level and draw rate matched to geometry.
Tension
Film tension controls flatness and wrinkles.
Lamination vs Coating
The fundamental difference between the two fiber waterproofing routes.
Layer thickness
Coating is micron-scale; lamination is a 15–60 µm continuous film.
Recyclability
A laminate can be assessed for layer separation; coating mixes with fiber.
Best fit
Lamination suits high-barrier, heavy-duty uses; coating suits light water resistance.
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