Toray Lumirror T56 PET Film is a heat stabilized, low shrinkage polyester film with high transparency at 75, 100, and 125 micron, the clear counterpart to S56
Low shrinkage and clarity usually pull in opposite directions, and Toray Lumirror T56 PET Film is the grade that tries to keep both. Its datasheet describes a heat stabilized film with low shrinkage and high transparency, and it lists membrane switches and graphic arts among its uses.
How T56 Compares with S56
Toray Lumirror S56 PET Film is the standard-transparency, slightly hazy member of the family, listed for flyback transformers and flexible print circuits. T56 shares the thicknesses (75, 100, 125 um) and the UL rating, and shows a similar shrinkage level, but its datasheet gives it a high transparency description and lists haze of about 1.8 percent at its upper end, and applications such as membrane switches and graphic arts, where clarity matters. In short, S56 is for hidden insulation work, and T56 is for places where you see through the film.
The Numbers the Datasheet Gives
- Thickness: 75, 100, and 125 um
- Heat shrinkage at 150°C for 30 minutes: about 0.5 percent in MD (about 0.46 to 0.53) and about 0.16 to 0.21 percent in TD (ASTM D1204)
- Tensile strength: about 198 to 225 MPa, easing with thickness (ASTM D882)
- Elongation at break: about 163 to 201 percent (ASTM D882)
- Haze: about 1.8 percent in the figure given (ASTM D1003), which is low for a thick film
- UL746B RTI: 105°C electrical, 105°C mechanical
Heat shrinkage of about half a percent in MD is roughly half of what a standard film shows, and TD is even lower. That is the dimensional stability that membrane switches and printed graphics need when a film passes through printing ovens and curing steps. Haze measures how much light is scattered, and a lower number means a clearer film. Note that MPa is force per unit area, so a thicker film can still carry more total load. RTI is a UL rating related to the temperature a material can withstand in long-term use.
Where It Is Used
The datasheet recommends T56 for all applications that require low heat shrinkage with high transparency, naming membrane switches and graphic arts. Both involve printing multiple colors or layers in register and then heating, so the film has to stay still and stay clear. The datasheet does not describe the process, so test samples first.
How It Differs from Neighboring Grades
- Toray Lumirror T60 PET Film is the general high transparent film, which is also listed for membrane switches, but its MD shrinkage is higher at about 0.9 to 1.3 percent. T56 is the heat stabilized option for the same uses.
- Toray Lumirror U94 PET Film has higher clarity (light transmission about 93 percent) and a two-side treatment, but its datasheet does not stress low shrinkage.
What the Datasheet Does Not Say
- The values are typical data under specific test conditions and are not limiting specifications, as the datasheet itself notes.
- Haze is shown only once in the text available, so it may belong to one thickness. No light transmittance, surface tension, friction, or thickness tolerance is listed.
- Some numbers are approximate ranges. Please check the official datasheet for exact values at your thickness.
Quick Answers
What is Lumirror T56?
A heat stabilized polyester film with low shrinkage and high transparency, in 75, 100, and 125 um.
What applications does the datasheet list?
All applications that need low heat shrinkage with high transparency, such as membrane switches and graphic arts.
What is the thermal rating?
UL746B RTI of 105°C for both electrical and mechanical properties.
Can I buy Toray Lumirror T56 PET Film from Jinlu Film?
Yes. Jinlu Film supplies Toray Lumirror T56 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.
More PET Film Guides
- Toray Lumirror S85S PET Film: a one-side pretreated standard film for graphics
- Toray Lumirror T70A PET Film: a high transparent film at 16 and 25 um
- Toray Lumirror P51 PET Film: a pretreated 12 micron film for printing
- Toray Lumirror F65 PET Film: a 12 micron base for hot stamping foil
- Toray Lumirror U94 PET Film: a super clear film treated on both sides
Sourcing Clear Low Shrinkage Film
Jinlu Film supplies Toray Lumirror T56 PET Film, along with comparable heat stabilized transparent polyester film grades, including domestic alternatives, for membrane switches and graphic arts. Tell us your process temperature, thickness, and clarity needs, and contact us for technical data, samples, or a factory quote.
Source: Toray’s publicly available Lumirror T56 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.
