You may have never heard of it, but your ID card, outdoor travel map, and even medical test report are likely made of a special material called Teslin. It is neither traditional plastic nor ordinary paper, but it has the advantages of both. Today, we will reveal the secrets of this “hidden champion” material!
Developed by PPG Industries in the United States in the 1990s, Teslin is a single-layer microporous synthetic substrate. Its composition seems simple – polyolefin (such as polyethylene) as the skeleton, silicon dioxide (quartz powder) as the filler, and then a special process to form a microporous network evenly distributed inside. It is this structure that gives it “contradictory” but practical characteristics.
Breathable like a sponge, yet waterproof?
Microporous structure: The interior is full of pores with a diameter of only a few microns (similar to a honeycomb), through which air and water vapor can freely penetrate, but liquid water cannot penetrate due to surface tension (similar to the lotus leaf effect).
Application scenario: Outdoor maps can be used after being dried in the rain, and ID cards are not easily damaged even if they are soaked in water.
Paper-thin yet tear-resistant?
Silica reinforcement: Filled silica particles are combined with polyolefin to form a structure similar to “reinforced concrete”, with a tear strength more than 3 times that of ordinary plastic film.
Experimental comparison: When folding Teslin and PVC cards of the same thickness in half, Teslin has almost no creases, while PVC may break.
Printing effect comparable to high-quality paper
Non-coating adsorption technology: The microporous surface directly absorbs ink without adding a coating like ordinary plastics. The printed pattern is more delicate and does not smudge. It is also compatible with laser engraving, UV inkjet printing, silk screen printing, and other processes.
Anti-counterfeiting advantage: It can be embedded with fluorescent fibers and holographic patterns, and is often used in the anti-counterfeiting layer of passports and banknotes.
Expert in survival in extreme environments
Wide temperature resistance range: -40℃ to 100℃ with stable performance (ordinary plastics are prone to brittleness or deformation).
Chemical corrosion resistance: Resistant to alcohol, gasoline, weak acid , and alkali, industrial labels are still clearly readable in oily environments.
Environmental protection and lightweight
Recyclable: After burning, only carbon dioxide and water are produced, without any toxic substances.
Lightweight and space-saving: The density is only 0.6-0.8g/cm³ (ordinary plastic is about 1.2g/cm³), suitable for making portable cards or weight-saving packaging.
Certificates and security
Around the world, China’s second-generation ID card, US driver’s license, and EU passport all use Teslin substrate, which is tamper-proof and has a lifespan of more than 10 years.
Electronic chip carrier: An RFID chip can be directly embedded in it and used in smart cards (such as transportation cards and access control cards).
Outdoor and Industrial
Military-grade durable labels: oil pipeline labels, aviation equipment labels, high temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance.
Outdoor advertising and maps: Disneyland tour guides, marathon race guides, rainproof, and foldable.
Medical and life
Sterile medical labels: medicine bottle labels will not fall off when wiped with alcohol, and hospital test sheets will be protected from blood penetration.
Creative DIY materials: Handicraft enthusiasts use it to make waterproof bookmarks, durable stickers, and even imitation leather crafts.
| Characteristic | Teslin | Ordinary plastics (such as PVC) | Oxford cloth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | √ Breathable and waterproof, strong liquid barrier, easy to clean the surface | √ Waterproof but poor breathability, liquid easily accumulates | √ Waterproof but poor breathability, suitable for waterproof needs but not conducive to long-term use |
| Printing Effect | √ Uncoated high-definition printing, suitable for customized design (patterns, textures) | ❌ Requires special coating, printing effect is not long-lasting | √ Good printing effect but easy to fade, suitable for short-term use |
| Environmental protection | √ Recyclable, environmentally friendly, no plasticizers | ❌ Difficult to degrade, contains harmful substances such as plasticizers | √ Recyclable, good environmental performance, no plasticizer |
| Life | More than 10 years, super durable, anti-scratch, and anti-tear performance | 5-8 years (prone to yellowing), poor durability, surface prone to aging | 3-5 years (stronger wear resistance), but shorter than Teslin |
| Antifouling | √ Strong stain resistance, not easy to leave food residues and mud stains, easy to clean | ❌ Easy to absorb stains and difficult to clean | √ Easy to clean, but not as resistant to dirt as Teslin |
| Breathability | √ Highly breathable, suitable for pets that sweat easily, reducing bacterial growth in humid environments | ❌ Poor air permeability, prone to a humid and stuffy environment | √ Poor air permeability, more suitable for low temperature or non-summer use |
| Wear resistance | √ Super wear-resistant, the surface is not easy to pill or delaminate | ❌ Easy to wear and tear, the surface is easily damaged | √ Good wear resistance, suitable for daily use, but not as durable as Teslin |
| Tear resistance | √ Super tear-resistant, resistant to physical damage from cat claws, canine teeth, etc. | ❌ Easy to tear, poor durability | √ Moderately tear-resistant, but less tear-resistant than Teslin |
| Weight | √ Lightweight design, low density, easy to move and store | ❌ Heavy and inconvenient to carry | √ Lightweight, suitable for handling and use, but not as light as Teslin |
| Security | √ Non-toxic and environmentally friendly, does not contain plasticizers, is harmless to pets, and meets safety standards | ❌ Contains harmful ingredients such as plasticizers, which may be toxic if used for a long time | √ No plasticizers, meets safety standards, suitable for long-term use by pets |
| Versatile adaptability | √ Can be combined with other materials, such as sponge, memory foam, etc., to improve comfort and functionality | ❌ Cannot be compounded with other materials, poor functionality | √ Can be combined with other materials to increase comfort, but not as flexible as Teslin |
Waterproof and anti-fouling, easy to clean
Liquid barrier: The microporous structure of Teslin can prevent urine, saliva, or accidentally spilled water from penetrating into the interior. The surface can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth without removing the inner core, saving time and effort.
Anti-stain: It has strong resistance to food residues, mud stains, etc., and is not easy to leave stubborn stains, avoiding bacterial growth.
Breathable and antibacterial, protecting your health
The microporous structure allows air circulation to avoid the stuffiness and humidity inside the pet bed, especially suitable for summer or pets that sweat easily (such as short-nosed dogs, such as French bulldogs and Chow Chows).
Inhibit bacteria and odor: Breathability reduces mold growth in humid environments, and regular cleaning can maintain hygiene for a long time and reduce the risk of pet skin infection.
Super durable, anti-scratch, and bite
Tear resistance: Textile substrate with added silica can resist pet scratching and biting (such as cats grinding their claws and puppies biting), and its life is extended by more than 3 times compared with ordinary fabrics.
Wear-resistant and scratch-resistant: The surface is not easy to pill or delaminate, and remains flat after long-term use. It is suitable for families with many pets or large dogs (such as golden retrievers and Alaskans).
Lightweight, environmentally friendly, safe, and worry-free
Lightweight design: The density is only 1/2 of ordinary plastic, which makes it easy to move or store the pet bed, especially suitable for outdoor camping scenes.
Non-toxic and environmentally friendly: The material does not contain plasticizers (such as phthalates), and is harmless to pets, and is recyclable and degradable, in line with the concept of environmental protection.
Versatile adaptability
Can be compounded with other materials: Textilen can be laminated with sponge, memory foam, and other fillers. The outer layer is waterproof and breathable, and the inner layer is soft and supportive, taking into account both comfort and functionality.
Customized design: Supports printed patterns or anti-slip textures (such as dots and stripes) to enhance the aesthetics and practicality of pet beds.
English English 
Español
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Русский
日本語
한국어
العربية
Türkçe
Polski
Nederlands
Português do Brasil
English (UK)
Tiếng Việt
ไทย
Svenska
