Mylar Balloons
Mylar balloons have “metalized” shiny surfaces with special foil properties, but not all “foil” balloons belong to the Mylar trademark. Mylar is a type of polyester film but it is different from the nylon sheet metalized on one side and polyethylene coated on the other, which is regularly used for the manufacturing of the “Mylar” balloons. Therefore, we should not draw the conclusion that every type of Mylar balloons are actually relying on the technology developed by NASA for the outer space missions. Mylar balloons are shiny, great looking and excellent to be used for parties and special events of a wide diversity.
Real Mylar balloons are very difficult to manufacture due to the thermal properties of the material. Mylar films cannot be heat sealed as they don't melt: expose them to open flame and they will simply burn, and that's it! Therefore, balloon manufacturers will use sheets of foil balloon plastic that can be heat sealed. Only one producer has so far succeeded to combine the making of Mylar balloons with the heat sealing technology. DuPont is the company that designs the only variety of heatable Mylar coating for balloons. Not the same thing can be said for aluminum-coated foil that is not within technological reach for the moment, at least not in terms of what Mylar balloons are concerned.
Mylar balloons and even nylon metalized balloons are more expensive than those made of latex (natural rubber). The main question that rises here is whether Mylar balloons are biodegradable or not. Scientists indicate the fact that this is their biggest disadvantage, the fact that they do not get safely absorbed in the environment. Since they surely pose a threat, then, they should be responsibly disposed of in an adequate nature-friendly way. This is actually the main reason why Mylar balloons are not used in releases; moreover, in certain parts of the United States, they have been banned.
Presently, awareness campaigns are being promoted in order to educate people in the direction of using Mylar balloons responsibly. Most retailers that sell such silver metalized balloons have taken measures to inform customers about the best use of such decorations. The first thing to know is that Mylar balloons have to be weigh-anchored and taken to a recycling center after use. Information on Mylar balloons is pretty scarce, and one has to research a lot in order to be able to distinguish between the nylon made ones and the authentic Mylar.