Toray Lumirror F53 PET Film is a world standard film for thermal transfer ribbon at 3.5, 4.5, and 5.7 micron, the thinnest grades in this range
At 3.5 micron, Toray Lumirror F53 PET Film is thinner than anything else on the shelf in this range, and its datasheet calls it a world standard film for thermal transfer ribbon, with good thermal stability and good handling properties.
What Ribbon Applications the Datasheet Lists
According to its datasheet, F53 is used for bar code ribbon, fax ribbon, word processor ribbon, color ribbon, and similar thermal transfer ribbons. Its listed properties are heat stability, good mechanical properties, and good handling properties. In a thermal transfer ribbon, the film carries ink and passes heat from the print head to the ink layer, so it has to be as thin as possible while still being strong enough to run through the printer (a general explanation, not from this datasheet).
The Numbers the Datasheet Gives
- Thickness: 3.5, 4.5, and 5.7 um
- Tensile strength: about 225 to 325 MPa in MD, in the range given (ASTM D882)
- Elongation at break: about 110 to 120 percent (ASTM D882)
- Heat shrinkage at 150°C for 30 minutes: about 1.0 to 2.0 percent (ASTM D1204)
- F-5 value: about 105 to 125 MPa, in MD and TD (ASTM D882)
- Coefficient of friction: about 0.40 to 0.50 (ASTM D1894)
- Surface roughness Ra: about 0.10 (DIN 4768)
The F-5 value is generally the stress needed to stretch the film by 5 percent (a general explanation). A high F-5 value, here around 105 to 125 MPa, means the film resists stretching under printer tension, which helps keep the ribbon from distorting. Surface roughness Ra of about 0.10 is very smooth, which suits a thin ink-carrying film. Note that MPa is force per unit area, so at 3.5 um the total load the film carries is tiny, and tension control matters.
How It Differs from Neighboring Grades
- Toray Lumirror F552 PET Film is also a ribbon base at 4.5 and 5.7 um, but it is an adhesion promoted film for dye diffusion thermal transfer ribbon, with a coefficient of friction of about 0.5 and 0.4. F53 adds the 3.5 um grade and a surface roughness value, and is positioned as the world standard for general thermal transfer ribbons such as bar code and fax ribbon.
- Toray Lumirror C21 PET Film is the other very thin film, at 6 um, but it is a capacitor film. F53 is built for printing ribbons instead.
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.
- No haze, light transmittance, surface tension, or thickness tolerance is listed, and several figures could not be matched to a specific thickness.
- No backcoat information is given, which matters for ribbons because the back is usually coated.
- Some numbers are approximate ranges. Please check the official datasheet for exact values at your thickness.
Quick Answers
What is Lumirror F53?
A standard polyester base film for thermal transfer ribbon, with good thermal stability and handling.
What thicknesses does the datasheet cover?
3.5, 4.5, and 5.7 um.
What applications does it list?
Bar code ribbon, fax ribbon, word processor ribbon, color ribbon, and similar.
Can I buy Toray Lumirror F53 PET Film from Jinlu Film?
Yes. Jinlu Film supplies Toray Lumirror F53 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 X53 PET Film: an anti-static clear film without coating
- Toray Lumirror S15A PET Film: a one-side pretreated film for adhesive tape
- Toray Lumirror S105 PET Film: a one-side corona treated S10
- Toray Lumirror T56 PET Film: a low shrinkage transparent film
- Toray Lumirror S85S PET Film: a one-side pretreated standard film for graphics
Sourcing Ribbon Base Film
Jinlu Film supplies Toray Lumirror F53 PET Film, along with comparable ultra-thin polyester film grades, including domestic alternatives, for thermal transfer ribbon applications. Tell us your ribbon type, thickness, and coating needs, and contact us for technical data, samples, or a factory quote.
Source: Toray’s publicly available Lumirror F53 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.
