Why Does Stretch Film Break During Packaging?

Stretch film breaking is one of the most common problems in pallet wrapping operations. When stretch film suddenly tears during wrapping, it can increase packaging costs, reduce efficiency, and cause unstable pallet loads.

Many customers ask:

“Why does my stretch film keep breaking even when I use the correct wrapping machine?”

The answer is usually related to five factors:

1. Stretch film quality
2. Incorrect stretching ratio
3. Wrong film thickness selection
4. Poor wrapping operation
5. Environmental conditions

As a professional stretch film manufacturer, JYE Stretch Film helps customers optimize film selection and reduce film breakage during transportation.

1. Poor Quality Stretch Film Material Causes Film Breakage

The most important factor affecting stretch film strength is the quality of raw materials.

High-quality stretch film normally uses high-performance LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) resin, which provides:

• High tensile strength
• Good puncture resistance
• Stable elongation
• Better load holding force

Low-quality stretch film may contain excessive recycled materials or inconsistent resin mixtures, causing:

• Edge tearing
• Film splitting
• Sudden breaks during stretching

How JYE Stretch Film Improves Film Strength

JYE Stretch Film uses:

• Raw material: LLDPE
• Film structure: 3-layer co-extrusion
• Thickness range: 15-35 micron
• Stretch rate: 150%-350%

Our quality control process includes:

• Tensile strength testing
• Elongation testing
• Puncture resistance testing

Internal link:

→ Learn More About Our Stretch Film Manufacturing Process

2. Excessive Stretch Ratio Can Make Stretch Film Break

Many users believe:

“The more I stretch the film, the better the packaging strength.”

This is incorrect.

Every stretch film has a recommended elongation range.

For example:

Film Type	Recommended Stretch
Hand Stretch Film	100%-200%
Machine Stretch Film	200%-300%
High Performance Film	300%+

When the film is stretched beyond its capability:

• Molecular structure becomes unstable
• Film becomes thinner
• Edge cracks appear
• Film breaks suddenly

Solution:

Choose the correct stretch film according to:

• Wrapping machine speed
• Pallet weight
• Load stability
• Transportation distance

Internal link:

→ Machine Stretch Film Solutions

3. Wrong Film Thickness Selection

Another common reason for stretch film failure is using the wrong thickness.

For example:

A heavy pallet weighing 1,500 kg should not use the same film as a lightweight carton pallet.

Typical applications:

Application	Recommended Thickness
Light cartons	12-15 micron
Standard pallets	17-23 micron
Heavy industrial loads	23-35 micron

Using thinner film than required may cause:

• Film tearing
• Poor load stability
• Higher consumption

JYE Stretch Film provides customized thickness options based on customer requirements.

Company data:

• Monthly production capacity: 500 tons
• Factory area: 10,000+  production facility
• Export markets: 50+ countries

4. Sharp Edges and Poor Packaging Shape Damage Stretch Film

Even high-quality stretch film can break when wrapping products with:

• Sharp metal edges
• Irregular shapes
• Exposed corners

Common examples:

• Steel products
• Machinery parts
• Ceramic products
• Construction materials

Solutions:

✔ Use corner protectors
✔ Adjust wrapping tension
✔ Select higher puncture resistance film

Related product:

→ High Performance Stretch Film

5. Cold Temperature Can Cause Stretch Film Failure

Temperature affects polyethylene film performance.

In cold environments:

• Film flexibility decreases
• Film becomes harder
• Tear resistance reduces

For cold storage applications, customers should select stretch film designed for low-temperature performance.

JYE Stretch Film provides customized solutions for:

• Frozen food packaging
• Cold warehouses
• International shipping

How to Choose Stretch Film That Does Not Break?

Before purchasing stretch film, consider:

1. Product Weight

Heavy pallets require:

• Higher tensile strength
• Better puncture resistance

2. Wrapping Method

Choose:

• Hand stretch film
• Machine stretch film
• Pre-stretched film

based on your operation.

Internal link:

→ Hand Stretch Film Manufacturer

3. Transportation Conditions

Consider:

• Long-distance shipping
• Container loading
• Temperature changes
• Vibration during transport

JYE Stretch Film Quality Commitment

At JYE Stretch Film, we focus on producing reliable stretch film solutions for global customers.

Our advantages:

✅ 20 years stretch film manufacturing experience
✅ 500 tons/month production capacity
✅ 50 countries exported worldwide
✅ Customized OEM packaging available
✅ Quality inspection before shipment

Our goal is to help customers reduce:

• Film breakage
• Packaging waste
• Production downtime

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my stretch film break on the machine?

The most common reasons are incorrect tension settings, excessive stretching, or unsuitable film thickness.

Is thicker stretch film always stronger?

Not always. Film quality, resin structure, and elongation performance are equally important.

How can I reduce stretch film consumption?

Using high-performance stretch film with the correct machine settings can reduce film usage while maintaining load stability.

Get the Right Stretch Film Solution Today

If your stretch film breaks frequently, our technical team can help analyze your packaging requirements and recommend the right film specification.

CAT: Get Free Stretch Film Recommendation .