Pressure Indicating Film: Types, Applications & Benefits

Pressure Indicating Film is a Mylar-based sensor film that reveals the distribution and magnitude of pressure between any two contacting, mating, or impacting surfaces. Fujifilm Prescale® is the leading brand of pressure indicating film. It is distributed by Sensor Products Inc.

Fujifilm Prescale® contains a layer of tiny microcapsules. The application of force upon the film causes the microcapsules to rupture, producing an instantaneous and permanent high resolution topographical image of pressure variation across the contact area.

Simply place Fujifilm Prescale® pressure indicating sensor film between any two surfaces that touch, mate or impact. Apply pressure, remove it and immediately the film reveals the pressure distribution profile that occurred between the two surfaces. Conceptually similar to Litmus paper, the color intensity of the pressure indicating film is directly related to the amount of pressure applied to it.

Fujifilm Prescale® is extremely thin (4 to 8 mils) which enables it to conform to curved surfaces. It is ideal for invasive intolerant environments and tight spaces not accessible to conventional electronic transducers. Table 1 lists the Fujifilm Prescale® film types.

Table 1: Fujifilm Prescale® Specifications
Film TypeRoll DimensionsPressure Range
Extreme Low (LLLLW/4LW)9.8 ft  12.2in (3 m  310mm)7.228 psi (0.51.97 kg/cm2)
Ultra Low (LLLW)16.4 ft  10.6in (5 m  270mm)2885 psi (26 kg/cm2)
Super Low (LLW)19.7 ft  10.6in (6 m  270mm)70350 psi (525 kg/cm2)
Low (LW)39.4 ft  10.6in (12 m  270mm)3501,400 psi (25100 kg/cm2)
Medium (MS)39.4 ft  10.6in (12 m  270mm)1,4007,100 psi
(100500 kg/cm2)
High (HS)39.4 ft  10.6in (12 m  270mm)7,10018,500 psi
(5001,300 kg/cm2)
Super High (HHS)39.4 ft  10.6in (12 m  270mm)18,50043,200 psi
(1,3003,000 kg/cm2)
*Relative pressure distribution only

The Physical Specifications of Fujifilm Prescale® are shown below.

  • Operating Temperature: 41F to 95F (5C – 35C), much higher for brief exposure
  • Humidity Range: 20% to 90% RH
  • Gauge: 4, 8, or 20 mils
  • Spatial Resolution: 5 to 15 microns
  • Substrate: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Accuracy: ±10% visual, ±2% utilizing optional optical measurement systems
  • Shelf Life: 1 year

pressure indicating film

Fig 1: How to Use Fujifilm Prescale® Pressure Indicating Sensor Film

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