Strengthening cellophane - types 165 and 180 - while keeping clear and flexible

[nyurone]

Hi, we are trying to strengthen the clear paper made of cellophane - types 165 (uncoated and thinner) and 180 (coated to increase impermeability and thicker). We want to keep it flexible and foldable, while preventing ripping. We also want it transparent.

These are our initial findings in the PDF but we would like additional comments and feedback to help guide us.

Google Drive Link to the PDF file:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-fx3GxV3B1IRi22c1_SWddWoKFlzg9mg/view?usp=sharing

We are not experts, so we need your help.

Thank you!

P. S. Is there any other archival material(s) (we recently found out that cellophane is not archival) that is pliable/foldable, resistant to tearing, and transparent?

[CharonY]

!

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[nyurone]

Is it possible for me to screenshot the pdf and post them as attachments in jpegs so that you can see what the pdf contains? 

Summary of the PDF: A wide range of substances, including acrylic mediums, glues, resins, etc. are tested onto clear cellophane, in search of finding a combination or application (of materials) that will strengthen cellophane while keeping it clear and flexible.  

[nyurone]

i would like a response from the admins on this issue! Thank you!

[CharonY]

I think screenshots or relevant excerpts would be fine. However, it is likely that you won't find folks with the specific needed expertise.

[nyurone]

Thank you so much!

these are the screenshots

Does this work?

Thank you!

 

 

Edited December 19, 2024 by nyurone

[nyurone]

Additional summary on our tests:

We tried the following methods/applications for cellophane types 165 and 180:

Coating Options
- Microcrystalline Cellulose powder-coating
- MFC – long fibers
- MCC – short fibers
- Methylcellulose (MC) coating
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) coating
- Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) coating
- Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coating
- Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) coating
- Polyurethane spray coating
- Art Resin (AR)
- Acrylic mediums
- Gloss Medium (GM)
- Clear Gesso (CG)
- Gloss Varnish (GV)
- Gloss Glazing Liquid (GGL)
- Self Leveling Gel (SLG)

Non-coating option
- Hair-drying to heat up the cellophane sheet while it is stretched onto wooden stretcher bars

90% of the results were failure except for hair-drying which was a mixed result.

We are now trying out thin layers of glue to strengthen the cellophane material.

-----

Below is the updated pdf document attached to this post:

Experiments & Research to Improve Clear Paper Foldability v5.pdf

Edited December 30, 2024 by nyurone

[nyurone]

we tried coating the edges of the cellophane with elmer's clear glue to prevent it from ripping, in addition to coating the surfaces with the glue and also heating it with hair dryer to strengthen it further.... now the problem is that while it is very strong and doesn't rip it's also not foldable... anyone got a solution for this dilem

[nyurone]

Please note that 90% of the results were failure (except for hair-drying which was a mixed result).
We are looking solution(s) to especially increase the tear resistance, as it starts to rip easily from the edges; without losing any of the flexibility property.

A bunch of glues were bought such as Elmers but not sure this will do the trick.

We tried coating the edges of the cellophane with elmer's clear glue to prevent it from ripping, in addition to coating the surfaces with the glue and also heating it with a hair dryer to strengthen it further.... Now the problem is that while it is very strong and doesn't rip it bounces back without remembering its folded shape... We think applying too much heat is strengthening the material excessively and making it less flexible, which makes the material lose the ability to remember its folded shapes/forms. Anyone got a solution to this dilemma?

I will not try the proposed Amorphous Silica (as we do not want to risk ourselves). Non toxic alternatives/solutions that may work are preferred. 

We are still looking for remedies to these dilemmas with cellophane, the project as a whole. What products or additives could work, what to mix, and how to apply? We spent a budget that is not an insignificant sum on this project and are seeking expert advice because there are too many variables involved.

Thanks.

Edited Thursday at 09:36 PM by nyurone