A Plain-English Reading of the Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film Datasheet: A Pigment Filled Matte Polyester Film from 12 to 50 Micron
This guide explains the Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film technical data sheet (TDS) in plain English, so buyers and engineers can read the figures with confidence.
What Is Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film?
Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film is a matte polyester (PET) film from Toray’s Lumirror range. According to its datasheet, it is a pigment filled, direct matted polyester film. The datasheet says it has a distinctive surface compared with sand matted types, and that it has the lowest specular gloss among Lumirror X42, X43, and X44. It is offered in 12, 19, 23, 26, and 50 um, and the datasheet lists hot stamping foil as an application.
Lumirror X42 at a Glance
- Type: pigment filled, direct matted polyester film (matte finished)
- Available thickness: 12, 19, 23, 26, and 50 um
- Listed property: direct matted
- Listed application: hot stamping foil, etc.
Key Properties from the Datasheet
Each line below lists the values in this order of grades: 12 / 19 / 23 / 26 / 50 um. MD is the machine direction (the running direction of the film) and TD is the transverse direction.
- Tensile strength, MD, MPa: 205 / 205 / 196 / 196 / 205 (ASTM D882)
- Tensile strength, TD, MPa: 205 / 215 / 205 / 205 / 215 (ASTM D882)
- Elongation at break, MD, percent: 93 / 100 / 110 / 115 / 120 (ASTM D882)
- Elongation at break, TD, percent: 90 / 100 / 100 / 100 / 125 (ASTM D882)
- Thermal shrinkage at 150°C for 30 minutes, MD, percent: 1.6 / 1.4 / 1.4 / 1.4 / 1.5 (ASTM D1204)
- Thermal shrinkage at 150°C for 30 minutes, TD, percent: 0.1 / 0.1 / 0.1 / 0.1 / 0.2 (ASTM D1204)
- Thermal shrinkage at 190°C for 20 minutes, MD, percent: 3.1 / 2.7 / 2.6 / 2.6 / 2.6 (ASTM D1204)
- Thermal shrinkage at 190°C for 20 minutes, TD, percent: 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.4 (ASTM D1204)
- Specular gloss, percent: 22 / 19 / 19 / 19 / 21 (ASTM D2457)
What the Numbers Mean
Matte surface. Specular gloss measures how much light reflects off the surface like a mirror. A lower number means a duller, more matte surface. The datasheet lists 19 to 22 percent across the five grades, and states that Lumirror X42 has the lowest specular gloss among X42, X43, and X44. The datasheet does not give the measurement angle, so compare gloss figures only within the same test setup.
Direct matted. The datasheet describes the film as pigment filled and direct matted, and contrasts it with sand matted types. In general, direct matting means the matte effect comes from fine particles built into the film itself, rather than from roughening the surface afterward (a general explanation, not from this datasheet).
Strength and stretch. Tensile strength shows how much pulling force the film withstands before it breaks. The grades list about 196 to 205 MPa in MD and 205 to 215 MPa in TD, so strength is similar across thicknesses. Elongation at break shows how far the film stretches before breaking: MD rises from 93 percent at 12 um to 120 percent at 50 um, and TD rises from 90 to 125 percent.
Heat stability. The datasheet gives shrinkage at two conditions. At 150°C for 30 minutes, MD shrinkage is about 1.4 to 1.6 percent and TD shrinkage is only 0.1 to 0.2 percent. At the harsher 190°C for 20 minutes, MD shrinkage rises to about 2.6 to 3.1 percent, while TD stays at 0.0 percent for the thinner grades and reaches 0.4 percent for the 50 um grade. Lower shrinkage means better dimensional stability, which matters in heat steps such as coating, drying, or hot transfer. MD shrinkage is higher than TD for all grades.
Thin gauges. The five grades are all thin films, from 12 to 50 um, so this datasheet is most relevant to applications that need lightweight carrier or base film rather than heavy-gauge sheet.
Typical Application: Hot Stamping Foil
The datasheet lists hot stamping foil as the application. In general, hot stamping foil uses a base film to carry a decorative layer until heat and pressure transfer it to the product (a general explanation, not from this datasheet). The datasheet does not describe the exact role of the matte film in the foil, so confirm suitability with your own process and test samples.
Points to Keep in Mind When Reading the TDS
- The values are typical data under specific test conditions and are not intended as limiting specifications, as the datasheet itself notes.
- The datasheet does not list tensile modulus, haze, surface roughness values, surface tension, or thickness tolerance.
- The gloss measurement angle is not stated.
- X43 and X44 are mentioned for comparison, but their data is not included in this datasheet.
- Always test samples on your own line before placing a bulk order.
Related datasheets from the same range: Toray Lumirror S10 PET Film, a standard clear polyester film from 12 to 350 um; Toray Lumirror E63 PET Film, a low density white film for print receiver use; and Toray Lumirror E60L PET Film, a microvoided white film for LCD back light use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film?
It is a pigment filled, direct matted polyester film with a matte finish, described in its datasheet as having the lowest specular gloss among X42, X43, and X44.
What thicknesses does the Lumirror X42 datasheet cover?
12, 19, 23, 26, and 50 um.
What is the gloss of Lumirror X42?
The datasheet lists specular gloss of 19 to 22 percent, depending on thickness.
What application does the datasheet list?
Hot stamping foil, etc.
Are the datasheet values guaranteed?
No. They are typical values under specific test conditions, not limiting specifications.
Can I buy Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film from Jinlu Film?
Yes. Jinlu Film supplies Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film. If you prefer a comparable-specification alternative, including domestic options, we can offer those as well, together with datasheets and samples so you can test them on your own line.
Looking for Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film?
Jinlu Film supplies Toray Lumirror X42 PET Film, along with comparable matte polyester film grades, including domestic alternatives, for hot stamping foil and similar applications. Tell us your application, thickness, and gloss needs, and contact us for technical data, samples, or a factory quote.
Source: Toray’s publicly available Lumirror X42 technical data sheet (typical values). Please refer to the latest official version. Lumirror, Toray, and related names are trademarks of their respective owners. This article is an independent explanation for reference only.
