Parafilm® M

This semi-transparent, self-sealing film can be molded to fit any vessel. It prevents evaporation and dissemination of odors, a quality that makes Parafilm invaluable for refrigerated storage of materials. It is resistant to many chemicals and is available in four sizes.

Parafilm can be used in a wide variety of ways:

• Laboratory - Parafilm M is ideal because it is a thermoplastic, self sealing film and offers excellent protection for a variety of containers, even those with irregular shapes and surfaces. It holds moisture loss to a minimum. It can be used as a shelf or tray liner to prevent slippage. For TEM labs it can be used as a hydrophobic surface when putting reagents onto TEM grids.
• Gardening - Parafilm can be used as a budding tape to protect buds or wounds from rain or dust. It helps prevent loss of moisture to keep the bud from drying out.
• Masking - Since parafilm conforms to any surface and can fill in the tightest corners, leaves no residue and lifts easily it is the preferred material by many for masking jobs.

Performance Characteristics:

Permeability Characteristics:

• Oxygen (ASTM 1927-98): 150 cc/m² d at 23^oC and 50%RH

• Carbon Dioxide (modulated IR Method): 1200 cc/m² d at 23^oC and 0%RH

• Water Vapor (ASTM F1249-01): 
  Flat: 1 g/m² d at 38^oC and 90%RH
  Creased: same as flat

• Note: Because of low water permeability and the insensitivity of this material to moisture vapor, it is unlikely that differences in relative humidity will make a difference in the oxygen permeability.

• Hydrochloric acid (5N) - No apparent effect in 24 hours

• Sulphuric acid (5N) - No apparent effect in 24 hours

• Nitric acid (5N) - No apparent effect in 24 hours

• Sodium hydroxide (22%) - No apparent effect in 24 hours

• Ammonium hydroxide (28% NH₃) - No apparent effect in 24 hours

• Potassium permanganate (5%) - No apparent effect except permanent dark brown coloration in 18 hours. (0.1%) - Same as 5% but slightly less color

• NaCl solution (20%) - No apparent effect in 24 hours

• Ethyl alcohol (95%) - No apparent effect except some face whitening in 24 hours

• Isopropyl alcohol (99%) - No apparent effect in 24 hours
• Not recommended for use with chlorinated, non-polar aliphatic and aromatic solvents.

Film becomes soft and sticky at about 130^oF to150^oF