Janitorial & Sanitation Reference Library · Technical Reference

Can Liner Gauge, Mil and Micron

Can liner thickness is stated in mils for LLDPE and microns for HDPE. This sheet shows how to convert between the two and explains why thickness alone does not tell which liner is stronger.

Ref JS-0117ASTM D6988

Draft, open for review. Check every value against the governing standard and the manufacturer’s data before use.

What it is

A mil is one thousandth of an inch (0.001 in). A micron (micrometer) is one millionth of a meter. One mil equals 25.4 microns. LLDPE liners are usually sold by mil, and HDPE liners by micron, partly because HDPE film is much thinner. Plastic film is also sometimes stated in gauge, where 100 gauge equals 1 mil. Thickness is measured to ASTM D6988.

How to read it

Find the thickness on the case label, such as "0.9 mil" or "16 mic." To convert mils to microns, multiply by 25.4. To convert microns to mils, divide by 25.4. Gauge divided by 100 gives mils. The packaging library's film gauge conversion chart covers more film thicknesses.

Mil and micron conversion

Mil	Microns	Gauge
0.25	6.4	25
0.35	8.9	35
0.5	12.7	50
0.7	17.8	70
0.9	22.9	90
1.0	25.4	100
1.5	38.1	150
2.0	50.8	200
3.0	76.2	300

Values are calculated from 1 mil = 25.4 microns.

Why LLDPE and HDPE are not compared by thickness

HDPE is stiffer and stronger in tension than LLDPE of the same thickness, so HDPE liners are made much thinner. LLDPE is softer but stretches and resists punctures. A 16-micron HDPE liner and a 0.6-mil LLDPE liner (about 15 microns) are nearly the same thickness but behave very differently. Compare liners of the same resin by thickness. Compare across resins by testing on the actual waste.

Key points

Thicker is stronger only within the same resin and quality.
Some makers grade LLDPE liners by a strength rating such as light, medium, heavy or extra heavy instead of thickness. These grades are not standardized across makers.
Recycled resin can need more thickness for the same performance.
Check the case count and size along with thickness when comparing price.

Common mistakes

Reading "16" on an HDPE case as 16 mil.
Treating microns and mils as interchangeable.
Buying a thicker HDPE liner for sharp waste when an LLDPE liner fits the job better.
Comparing grades across brands as if they were the same.

Governing standards: ASTM D6988 (thickness of plastic film test specimens). Can liner maker data.

Reference only. Verify against the current governing code or standard, the manufacturer's data and the project documents before use. Apps for Distributors disclaims liability arising from reliance on this reference.

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