What Gauge Stretch Wrap Do I Need?

The gauge of the stretch wrap refers to its thickness.  For example, 100ga = 0.001in, so a lower number means thinner film and a larger number means thicker film.  Some users measure their film in microns.  For easy conversion, 25mic = 100ga (though the actual conversion is 25.4mic = 100ga).  The only difference between gauge and microns is how one chooses to measure the thickness of the film.

There are three factors that need to be considered when asking what gauge stretch film you need:

1. What function is the stretch wrap serving?
2. What is the average unit weight?
3. What is the typical load configuration?

Stretch Wrap Function
There are two primary functions for stretch wrap - to hold things together, and to protect them.  There are some less common functions, such as in the moving industry where it's used to keep drawers and doors from opening on armoires, cabinets, dressers, etc.  An armoire

Average Unit Weight
In short,

Typical Load Configuration
There are three typical load configurations that need to be determined:

• A-Load
  Symmetric, even, cubed loads with no sharp corners or protrusions and clean vertical sides
• B-Load
  Less symmetric, of uneven nature, irregular vertical sides, slight puncture potential
• C-Load
  Of no symmetry, very uneven, high puncture potential, multiple corners and edges

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