Oriented Netting

Oriented Plastic Netting

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Oriented Plastic netting is lighter, wider and more flexible than our extruded square plastic mesh. Some configurations are available in widths up to 17-feet. Oriented plastic netting is most often used for reinforcement or containment (ex. RackGuard) or as a light-weight barrier (ex. Bird Net).

Oriented netting is produced by stretching extruded mesh in one or both directions under controlled conditions. Stretching the extruded mesh in both the machine direction and cross direction produces biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) netting. Extruded netting can be subsequently heated and stretched to produce lighter-weight materials. This process is called orientation. Essentially, the plastic is heated and stretched under conditions that optimize its tensile strength. A common application for oriented diamond netting is the produce and packaging markets, where plastic netting is used for potato bags, onion bags, turkeys and other packaging applications.

Plastic netting can also be stretched on larger tenter frames. This process is capable of producing wider goods, as wide as 17’ or more. The tentering method of orientation will always result in square (or rectangular) netting, as the material is pulled or oriented along its x and y-axis. Either square or diamond extrusion can be tentered, though diamond netting must be cut on the bias in order to be oriented on a tenter frame. There are many applications for oriented square netting, but it primarily provides reinforcement for other substrates.

When the plastic netting is oriented or stretched, the strand shape is altered. Generally, the shape of an oriented strand is somewhat hour-glassed, with the strands becoming wider near the joint. Oriented plastic netting also has a higher profile, where the joint thickness is greater than the strand thickness.

The extrusion and orientation processes are controlled for the number of strands over a given distance (typically the average number of plastic strands over a 10-inch span) to produce a nominal average hole opening or aperture. Colorants and additives can be introduced during the extrusion process to produce distinct colors or properties such as stabilization against ultraviolet light degradation.

Most products below are in stock as master rolls. We can custom convert to a size that suits your unique plastic netting needs. Our wide array of custom converting services can produce a net to meet your requirements.