STS

Petri/Slant Breathable PE Sealing Film [200 meters]

Name: Petri/Slant Breathable PE Sealing Film [200 meters]
SKU: PEGF200
Price: 195 ZAR
Availability: InStock

Original price was: R349.Current price is: R195.

🧫 Secure your Petrei, grafts and cultures!
🧫 Polyethylene film is waterproof yet breathable.
🧫 Allowing essential gas exchange.
🧫 Self-adhering and durable.

🧫 Lab & Sterile Systems

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Description
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3.05 cm wide Polyethylene Film Tape for Petri Dish, Slant, Nursery Grafting – self-adhering, breathable waterproof – 220 Yards

What is PE Film (Grafting Film)?

PE film, or polyethylene film, is a plastic material. What makes “budding tape” or “grafting film” special is that it is a microporous, stretchable, and self-adhering version of this film. It’s designed to:

Stretch with growth: In horticulture, this is crucial so the tape doesn’t “girdle” or constrict the growing plant as the graft union swells. In mycology, this isn’t as critical, but the stretchiness helps in getting a tight, conforming seal around a Petri dish or slant cap.
Be waterproof: It creates a barrier that prevents external moisture, and the contaminants it may carry, from entering the culture.
Allow gas exchange: For grafting applications, a small addition of CaCO₃ to the microporous PE structure allows for the passage of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide – yet retain H₂O.

PE Film vs. Parafilm and Micropore Tape

While they all serve the same general purpose (protecting cultures while allowing them to breathe), there are subtle but important differences.

Feature	Parafilm	Micropore Tape	PE Film (Budding Tape)
Material	A blend of polyolefins and waxes.	Paper-based with a medical-grade adhesive.	Microporous polyethylene (PE).
Breathability	Good, but often slightly less than Micropore tape.	Excellent. The most breathable of the three.	Good. Designed to allow for gas exchange.
Waterproofing	Excellent. Forms a strong, moisture-proof barrier.	Poor to fair. Can become saturated with water.	Excellent. Designed to be a waterproof barrier.
Adhesion	Self-adhering when stretched.	Adhesive backing.	Self-adhering when stretched.
Primary Use	Laboratory sealing, mycology, plant grafting.	Medical bandages, mycology.	Horticulture (budding/grafting), mycology.
Durability	Can become brittle and tear over time.	Less durable, can tear easily when wet.	Very durable and strong. Made to withstand outdoor elements.
Biodegradability	Some versions are biodegradable with UV exposure.	Some versions are biodegradable.	Many versions are biodegradable (this is a key feature for grafting as it doesn’t need to be removed).

Why Use PE Film for Mycology?

Cost-Effective Alternative: PE film, particularly grafting film, can be a much more affordable option than Parafilm, especially for those working with a large number of cultures.
Strong and Reliable: Its durability and strong waterproof properties, combined with its ability to stretch and self-adhere, make it a solid choice for creating a secure, long-lasting seal.
Ease of Use: Like Parafilm, you simply stretch it around the seam of a Petri dish or slant cap to create a tight, air-exchange-friendly seal without the hassle of adhesive tapes.

In practice, a mushroom cultivator might choose PE film for the same reasons they would use Parafilm: to create a contamination-resistant, gas-permeable, and moisture-retaining seal for their cultures. The main difference comes down to slight variations in material properties, cost, and availability. For many, it’s a perfectly suitable and highly effective substitute.