The SAF was launched late last year and joins existing products such as Marlon FS and Marlon FSX Longlife, used for high-end engineering and heavy fabrication projects.
With its high-level adhesion and mechanical protective properties, the new film allows the sheets to take fabrication, reducing scratches and abrasions, according to the company.
“Our polycarbonate sheets go through a variety of aggressive mechanical processes before the end-product is completed,” said sales director Duncan Smith.
“As a result we have developed the durable SAF that can withstand high-pressure or high-strength impact applications, such as cutting, drilling and milling.”
He added: “The film is used when polycarbonate is being routed, machined, processed and drilled. It's a heavy duty, thicker gauge product with increased tack levels, so it won't peel off in fabrication.
“Typical uses are engineering applications such as machine guards requiring thicker polycarbonate, say 6-10mm. The guards need to be a certain shape and have holes for fixing.”
The product costs “slightly more than your average film” and was for specialist print applications involving routing and drilling, said Smith. It is suitable for all printing machines that could handle polycarbonate.
It comes as an option for Marlon FS and Marlon FSX Longlife ranges and is available for thicknesses of 2-15mm, in a width of 2,050mm.
The film’s adhesion level is three times higher than standard ranges, which all-but eliminates the risk of it peeling off during fabrication, according to Brett Martin.
Smith added: “The SAF protective film is applied to both sides of Marlon FS and Marlon FSX Longlife sheets, guaranteeing protection at all times from rigorous, repeated fabrication processes that could cause abrasions or other mild surface damage.”
SAF is glue-free, enabling polycarbonate sheets to be used for warm bending and shallow thermoforming applications. Its clear finish means the product remains visible once the film has been applied.
Smith said: “SAF is a highly versatile product for aggressive and heavy fabrication. We are confident its unique protective properties will attract a great deal of interest.”
