Tyvek® for Packaging Home Page

Strong, Porous and Virtually Lint Free:
DuPont Tyvek® has introduced new dimensions of protection, security and safety in a wide variety of industries. Made from very fine, high-density polyethylene fibers, Tyvek® offers all the best characteristics of paper, film and fabric in one material. This unique balance of properties, which cannot be found in any other material, makes Tyvek® lightweight yet strong; vapor-permeable, yet water- and chemical-resistant, as well as puncture-, tear- and abrasion-resistant. Tyvek® is also low-linting, smooth and opaque.

Tyvek® is formed by a fully integrated process using continuous and very fine fibers of 100% high-density polyethylene that are randomly distributed and nondirectional. These fibers are first flash-spun, then laid as a web on a moving bed before being bonded together by heat and pressure - without the use of binders. By varying both the lay-down speed and the bonding conditions, DuPont technicians can engineer the flash-spun sheet to meet market needs, such as hard- and soft-structure Tyvek®.

Hard-structure Tyvek® can supplant traditional paper by offering superior tear-resistance and lighter weight. It is ideal for packaging and graphics applications. Soft-structure Tyvek® is designed specifically for those textile applications where drape, hand and soft feel are of prime importance, such as garments. A variety of finishing techniques, including embossing, corona treatment (to improve adhesion of printing inks and coatings), anti-static treatment and softening for drapability, allow the product to be fine-tuned to the specific needs of end-users.

Resistant to Water, Chemicals and Abrasion:
Tyvek® brand materials are inherently water resistant, inert to most organic and inorganic chemicals and stand up to mishandling and abuse. It all adds up to longer shelf life and better packaging appearance over time!

Extensive Temperature Range, Excellent Dimensional Stability:
High-performing across extreme temperatures, Tyvek® retains its toughness and flexibility down to -100°F (-73°C). And, it won't begin to shrink until temperatures hit approximately 270°F (132°C) or melt until 275°F (135°C). Temperatures above 175°F (79°C) should be avoided when processing under tension. Unlike paper or other packaging films, Tyvek® is exceptionally stable—sheet dimensions change less than 0.01% between 0% and 100% relative humidity at constant temperatures. Tyvek® lets you take your packages to greater extremes!

If you are interested in medical packaging applications with Tyvek®,
please click here to go to the Medical Packaging home page.