Parafilm is a semi-transparent sealing film that is used widely in labs and beyond since it was invented in the USA in 1936. It is composed of a proprietary combination of waxes and polyolefins and has the incredible ability to stretch to over 200% of its original length. It can cling to and seal vessels of almost any shape and material and this makes it incredibly versatile. Parafilm is moisture resistant but has gas permeability.
Parafilm is ideal for a range of applications in the lab and beyond and this includes:
- Creating a physical barrier and seal over samples – keeping your wok safe from contamination.
- Sealing of containers in a huge variety of shapes and sizes including flasks, dishes, tubes and more.
- Using to overwrap stoppers to ensure they are held securely in place.
- Protecting containers with lids from moisture during storage. Parafilm will prevent moisture and volume loss but it is also permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour. Therefore it allows for off-gassing without compromising the sample integrity.
Parafilm Overview
This useful infographic that summarises all of the key benefits of Parafilm:
Parafilm FAQ:
PARAFILM®M is free from plasticizers and consists primarily of polyolefins and paraffin waxes. If PARAFILM®M comes into contact with food, the relevant regulations should be observed.
Temperature range (continuous use): -45 to +50°C, melting point: 60°C, flash point: 301°C.
Parafilm® M can be stored at least 3 years, without quality impairment, under storing conditions between 7 °C and 32 °C at 50 % relative humidity.
Parafilm’s predictable oxygen transmission rates (OTR) helps to keep your experiments consistent.
Gas permeability in 24 hours at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity:
– O2 (oxygen): ≤ 350cm³/m²
– N2 (nitrogen): ≤ 105cm³/m²
– CO2 (carbon dioxide): ≤ 1100cm³/m²
– Water vapor permeability in 24 hours at 37 °C and 90% relative humidity: 0.8 g/m² (Vapor pressure from volatile substances may lift PARAFILM®M off the edge of the vessel.)
PARAFILM®M is resistant up to 48 hours against many polar substances, e.g. saline solutions, inorganic acids and alkaline solutions. After this period embrittlement may occur.
| Effects of 48 hours exposure at 23°C: | ||
| Acids: | Hydrochloric acid 36.5% | resistant |
| Sulphuric acid 98% | resistant | |
| Nitric acid 95% | resistant (brown discoloration) | |
| Alkaline solutions: | Sodium hydroxide 22% | resistant |
| Ammonia 28% | resistant | |
| Saline solutions: | Sodium chloride 20% | resistant |
| Potassium permanganate 5% | resistant (brown discoloration) | |
| Iodine solution 0.1 mol/l | resistant (brown discoloration) | |
| Organic solvents: | Methyl alcohol | resistant |
| Ethyl alcohol | resistant | |
| Isopropyl alcohol | resistant | |
| Diethyl ether | not resistant | |
| Chloroform | not resistant | |
| Carbon tetrachloride | not resistant | |
| Benzene | not resistant | |
| Toluene | not resistant | |
| PARAFILM®M conforms to the general requirements of the FDA (Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. USA) if used below 55°C. | ||
is this product food safe, can it be used around wire and inserted in to cakes.
Hi Julie
Parafilm M should be fine to use as it specifically mentions wrapping bananas on the Parafilm website. Performance characteristics can be found here:
http://www.parafilm.com/products#parafilm-m
best regards
Camlab Support Team
Our daughter’s band teacher recommended parafilm to be used to cover her braces on a sore spot while playing her clarinet. Is this safe to do so from a chemical/toxin standpoint?
Thanks!
Hi
I would not recommend parafilm for this purpose, its primary purpose is for laboratory use.
What if parafilm is blown by hot air gun..?
Hi John,
This would likely weaken the parafilm and then you may see tears or breaks – it is only meant for use up to +50°C at the most.
– Camlab Team
Hi, I recently started in a new lab and took over all materials and equipment from the previous person. When I used the parafilm, it tore more easy than I was used to. After incubation around my Agar plates it dissolved. But the temp was not higher than 40 degree. I have never encountered this before. Could it be too old or just a bad batch?
Cheers
Tanja
Hi Tanja,
Thanks for your question – sounds unusual! Parafilm is OK for use up to +50°C so as long as your incubator is accurate this should have been ok.
It could just be age – can you see any dates on the box? Try a new pack and see if you encounter the same problem.
Let us know if you need anything else
Kind regards
Camlab Support Team
I sometimes read in sellers websites that it’s possible to “seal” the overlapping ends better by heating up the Parafilm slightly while pressing it together.
Is that true or a false information?
The recommended temperature range is -45 – +50 °C. The film becomes soft and sticky between 54-66°C so in theory its possible but would be very difficult to control in reality it really would be easier to just get a bigger sheet initially.
Hi, can Parafilm be printed on?
Given the nature of the material I do not think this is possible
does parafilm react with oil-based creams. I am using it to cover the surface of cream much like you would use plastic wrap to cover pudding in the fridge. I want to protect the cream from air exposure prior to use.
I use Parafilm “M” by Bemis to seal up glassware that I send out into the field for my job. I imagine it approaches the maximum temperature of 50 degrees Celsius during the warmest summer months. The parafilm can not be removed easily in one piece as it breaks apart and can potentially contaminate my equipment. I am wondering if there is a parafilm that has a higher temperature range of use. Thanks.
Hi Jon,
No i’m afraid not, the recommended temperature range is -45 – +50 °C. The film becomes soft and sticky between 54-66°C.
at about 54-66 °C.
Emma
Camlab Tech Support
Hi, is Parafilm endotoxin free?
Did you perform any test regarding bacterial endotoxins?
Thank you for your reply.
Hi Maria,
Thank you for your comment. Parafilm it is not endotoxin free.
You can see our range of microbiological tests here: https://www.camlab.co.uk/microbiological-water-testing-c3092.aspx
Thanks and kind regards,
Emma
Camlab Tech Support
can you talk about what parafilm is made of I ran a sample in the FT-IR from my class and could not get a good match from the data. is there TRIACONTANE in it or low density polyethylene??
Does Parafilm contain any plastic and is it recyclable?
Hi Craig,
Thank you for your comment on the Camblab Blog. Parafilm M is a thermoplastic.
It is not advertised as a recyclable product.
Kind regards,
Emma
Camlab Tech Support
Hello!
Parafilm “m” is dissolved in the solvent carbon tetrachloride. When this occurs, does the parafilm contaminate the solvent and is it inappropriate for use or not? Has this occurred in the laboratory and would you like to know if I can use carbon tetrachloride normally or should I dispose of it?
Thank you!
Hi Polly,
Unfortunately I am not too familiar with the chemical carbon tetrachloride however if you have dissolved contaminants in any chemical I would think its best to dispose of.
Kind regards
Sarah, Tech Support.
Hi,
We use parafilm in our lab where the humidity its kept at an average of 62%.
We’ve been having problems with the film ripping along the edges of the petri dishes.
We also use a spray bottle with 50% isopropyl solution to disinfect the surfaces in lab.
Do you think any of these could be a reason for the parafilm to be faulty or is it possible it could be a manufacturing issue?
Parafilm is resistant to iso-propanol at 99%, so I don’t think that is the issue, it may be over-stretched or it may be catching on the edge of the petri dish.
Hi,
Is Parafilm suitable for long term storage of spirits? IE, If a bottle of whisky or rum had been opened and an inert ‘preserver’ gas (argon / nitrogen mix) had been sprayed in the bottle (to protect the contents from oxidisation) would there be any point in using Parafilm to seal the bottle? If not, Is there a more suitable product? Thanks.
Hi Michael,
As parafilm has permeability to air and water I would not think it to be best for this purpose.
kind regards,
Sarah, Tech Support
Hello, does Parafilm contain PFAS? The 1936 development predates the usage of PFAS but thought I’d ask to make sure.
Thank you!
Not sure I have requested the information from the manufacturer
Hi,
One of my classmate autoclaved plastic petri plates with parafilm still attached to it no it is impossible for me to remove it. which treatment can be used to remove this melted stuck parafilm?
There is not going to be an easy way to do this I am afraid, temperature max for parafilm is 50 degrees C so autoclaving would not be appropriate
Hi
IS Parafilm resistant against Acetonitrile?
Thanks
Hi,
Can parafilm be used as encapsulation in nanogenerators? Encapsulation has two basic necessities that it should not leave an air gap between the sample and itself and it should be insulating.
Is Parafilm safe to use for covering a fresh tattoo?