Table of Contents
- What are micron and gauge?
- Thickness selection by load
- Pre-stretch lowers effective thickness
- How to choose the right micron
- What ICD offers
- Micron-to-gauge conversion table
- Thickness is not containment force
- Practical thickness-selection trial
- Hidden costs of choosing by micron alone
- More on stretch film & wrapping
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact ICD Vietnam
- Sources
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 34/2026
Stretch film thickness is measured in micron (1 micron = 0.001 mm); pallet film is commonly 12 to 30 micron, chosen by load weight, edge sharpness and whether pre-stretch is used. Thicker film holds better but uses more resin, so choosing the right micron matters more than choosing the thickest.
What are micron and gauge?
Micron (µm) is the thickness unit common in Vietnam and Asia. Gauge is the US unit; conversion: 100 gauge = 25.4 micron, so 1 micron is about 3.94 gauge. When reading imported specs, convert to compare correctly: 23 micron film equals roughly 90 gauge.
| Micron | Gauge (approx) | Mil (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 47 | 0.47 |
| 17 | 67 | 0.67 |
| 23 | 90 | 0.90 |
| 30 | 118 | 1.18 |
Thickness selection by load
| Thickness | Pallet load | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 10 - 15 micron | Under 400 kg | Light goods, even-edged boxes, fast hand wrap |
| 17 - 20 micron | 400 - 800 kg | Consumer goods, standard cartons |
| 23 - 30 micron | 800 - 1,200 kg | Heavy goods, sharp edges, tall pallets |
| Over 30 micron | Over 1,200 kg | Very heavy goods, metal, tiles |
Pre-stretch lowers effective thickness
On a machine with pre-stretch, film is pre-elongated 150 - 300%, so its effective thickness on the load is far thinner than the roll’s nominal gauge. A 23 micron film pre-stretched 250% can cover nearly three times the area of hand wrapping, saving resin while keeping enough containment force. When costing, compare pallets wrapped per kg of film, not just micron.
How to choose the right micron
Start from load weight and shape: light, round-edged loads take thinner film; heavy, sharp-edged loads (puncture risk) need thicker film or edge protectors. With a pre-stretch machine you can drop one micron grade and still hold firmly. Test with wraps and containment force on a sample pallet before ordering in bulk.
What ICD offers
ICD supplies stretch film in many thicknesses (hand and machine grade) plus stretch wrapping machines with pre-stretch, advising on the optimal micron for your goods to balance hold and film cost.
Micron-to-gauge conversion table
State both units on purchase orders because commercial gauge labels may be rounded. The mathematical conversion is approximately 1 micron = 3.94 gauge, or 100 gauge = 25.4 micron.
| Micron | Approx. gauge | Trial starting point |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 47 | Uniform light cartons |
| 15 | 59 | Light-to-medium stable loads |
| 17 | 67 | General pallet wrapping |
| 20 | 79 | Medium/heavy loads |
| 23 | 91 | Irregular loads after puncture testing |
| 30 | 118 | Very demanding loads |
Thickness is not containment force
Containment force is the cumulative holding force created by film tension and the number of layers at a point on the load. Thick film with low tension and too few wraps can hold less than thinner film applied by a controlled pre-stretch system with the correct wrap pattern.
Practical thickness-selection trial
- Document weight, dimensions, carton strength, edges and route.
- Start with a repeatable machine or hand-wrap pattern.
- Weigh the roll before and after several pallets.
- Check breaks, crushed cartons, lean and movement after handling.
- Reduce thickness or wraps one step at a time and retain the lightest passing specification.
Hidden costs of choosing by micron alone
- Over-wrapping increases resin use without improving stability.
- Sharp corners may need corner boards rather than thicker film.
- Hand-wrapping variation may exceed the difference between nearby gauges.
More on stretch film & wrapping
Topic pillar
In-depth analysis articles
Frequently asked questions
How is stretch film thickness measured?
In micron (µm), 1 micron = 0.001 mm. Pallet film is commonly 12 - 30 micron; the US uses gauge (100 gauge = 25.4 micron).
How many micron should pallet stretch film be?
Light loads under 400 kg use 10 - 15 micron; 400 - 800 kg use 17 - 20 micron; heavy, sharp-edged 800 - 1,200 kg use 23 - 30 micron.
How do I convert micron to gauge?
100 gauge = 25.4 micron, so 1 micron is about 3.94 gauge. For example, 23 micron equals roughly 90 gauge.
Why can machines use thinner film?
Because pre-stretch elongates the film 150 - 300% before wrapping, lowering effective thickness so one roll covers more pallets while keeping enough containment force.
Is thicker film always better?
No. Thicker holds better but costs more resin; choose just enough micron for the load and use pre-stretch to optimise.
What stretch film thicknesses does ICD offer?
ICD supplies hand- and machine-grade stretch film in many thicknesses, advising on the optimal micron for your goods, plus pre-stretch machines.
Contact ICD Vietnam
ICD Vietnam Industrial Manufacturing Co., Ltd - pallets, plastic crates, stretch film, forklifts and packaging solutions.
Hotline: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn | Zalo: Chat on Zalo
