Polyethylene film (PE) is commonly used for various purposes, one of which is the coverage silos and silage. Polyethylenes, are thermoplastics from the group of polyolefins, are very important material and are present in large numbers and in different ways, in everyday society [1] . Polyesters, as the name implies, are polymers having the ester function. The fibers of polyesters can be molded by extrusion or lamination processes with other polymers such as vinyl polymers nature and give rise to different types of films [2] [3] . The cover canvas represents an important contribution, in the silo sealing stage, with the objective of reducing the penetration of air from the external environment to the interior. The most important characteristics of a tarpaulin for silage sealing are: Thickness, coloring and polymer used in the making of the film [4] [5] . In surface silos, the canvas becomes indispensable for protection, and there is demand for thicker films (180 to 200 μm) [5] . The function of a plastic when used for silo sealing is to create an anabolic condition and thus provide a good environment for fermentation. There are studies that have demonstrated the effects of the concentration of O₂ inside the silo, causing losses of dry matter, nutrients, accumulation of pathogens [4] [5] [6] [7] .

The types of plastic films in our country, used in silos as hedges are polyethylene main polymer, different colors and different thicknesses ranging from 150 to 300 (µm) [6] . The black canvas and “thick” commercial 150 µm, showed a value of 81 µm below, which was published by the manufacturer [8] . In blowing ratio of study (RS) for tubular films of LDPE (low density polyethylene) and HDPE (high density polyethylene), it was found that the results of the thicknesses of the films in different compositions (specifications) were not concerned, for the distribution of defined thickness (average 60 μm) [9] . The thickness of the films is a parameter that may interact and relate to different properties (ex: gas permeability) [6] . When it comes to frequently manufacture plastic films with thickness according to specifications, customers have greater satisfaction, contributing to the success of the enterprise and better market position in relation to competing organizations [10] .

In order to evaluate the thickness of the films, it is important to evaluate the uniformity of these materials, the repeatability of the measurement, their properties and make comparisons between films [10] . The plastic films of polyethylene used to cover silages have permeability to oxygen; and this tends to increase as it rises to room temperature [3] [6] [11] . In silage study applications, for agronomic and veterinary sciences, the fermentation parameters that are related to the thickness of the silo cover are quite variable; Polyethylene films are the most used for silage coverage today. The films of polyester or polyester/vinyl, are films with greater thickness; Its use was abandoned due to the high cost of acquisition per square meter, although the latter have better mechanical and barrier properties than polyethylenes [7] . The studies carried out in the area of silage, related commercial thicknesses reported by the manufacturers. They do not consider the relation of the actual variation of the thickness as a function of the temperature. It is possible to use a methodology to use the digital micro-meter in these works. Without the need for sophisticated equipment and laboratory environment. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that it will also serve to determine new gas permeability coefficients in silage studies, which should in future consider these environmental variations and thickness. Since the processes of obtaining a uniform thickness by the manufacturers of plastic films, are still in evolution, the evaluation of the thickness “in situ” will be extremely important to evaluate the time and quality of the silage produced. Therefore, the objective of this study is to measure and compare the thickness, the use of two instruments (digital micrometer and digital thickness gauge) in plastic films (polyethylene, polyester and polyester/vinyl), for future use.

The materials used to study the thickness of the plastic films were three types of commercial plastics films and two types of instrument for measuring thickness. Mercury thermometer graduated from −20˚C to 120˚C. Low density polyethylene film (LDPE) of 130 μm. Polyester Film Polyester 300 μm and 370 μm vinyl film, all the nominal thickness (depending on the manufacturer). Digital micro- meter 0 - 25 mm - 0.001 mm. Digital thickness gauge―0 - 10 mm - 0.001 mm. Action 2.8 software. The methodology for verification of the thickness consisted primarily of cut 15 samples―100 mm × 100 mm size (determining the sample surface = 10,000 mm² = 100 cm²) each of the films (polyethylene, polyester and polyester/vinyl). Under each sample were made ten (10 measurements) thickness using the digital micrometer. Every 5 readings performed to “reset” for 5 readings and so forth. For the readings do not coincide on the same point read, ran up an anti-clockwise movement on the surface of the sample, from the center towards the periphery, simulating a “snail” or helical. Later on other film samples with the same characteristics of the above (15 new samples of films), took up 10 measurements using the milesimal thickness meter. These values were tabulated in the order, as it was in the measurements. The relative humidity in the atmosphere was 61% - 65%, extracted data tab, for table psychometric relations (Tbs-Tbu), where Tbs is the dry bulb temperature; Tbu is the wet bulb temperature. The time between each measurement was about 2 minutes. For in each sample was made 10 determinations, requiring careful not to measure on the same point and leave a relaxation time to make up the next measurement. The results of the readings (two plus the thickness gauges provided manufacturers) amounted to three factors (thickness of manufacturer, thickness-micro- meter and thickness-normalized. Subsequently, application of the Tukey test at 5% significance and linear regression, for use of Action 2.8 software.

The results for Polyethylene film, measured with micrometer is 119.46 µm (Table 1). In polyester films values were minimum observed variation is 8 μm. Already in polyester films with vinyl layer these values greater variation observed is 17 μm. In comparison the thickness of the three factors (manufacturer, using standard micrometer―use of the thickness gauge), 5% by Tukey test revealed that for polyethylene, there was no significant difference between factors. For Ferreira (2012), thin films of LDPE, when stretched deform evenly. According to the same author, the handling of these materials before and during the crystallization step, influences the solid state properties [9] . For the polyester film (Table 2), we observed a significant difference only between the thickness of the manufacturer and read the micrometer. In comparison to polyester film/vinyl (Table 3), the thickness read in standard apparatus was superior in 10.26 μm the com- mercial value reported by the manufacturer. Being 9 μm, the value of the top

manufacturer taken by micrometer; the maximum difference was between the value read on the standard instrument and micrometer (19.26 μm). These results are the study of the meeting made by Alencar (2011): Some companies, it can be inferred that the main causes for the problem, with the thickness, result from malfunctions of extruders, the wear parts, the process weighing of raw materials to be inadequate and the lack of precision of the measurements taken by the instrument used in process control (the micrometer) [10] . In study of the orientation processes are commonly employed to modify the film properties: as optical, mechanical, and barrier to gases, in addition to altering the thickness and the flexibility thereof. It brings out that the two instruments used, have the resolution (0.001 mm or 1 μm) suitable for the task (measuring plastic films) [8] . For bioplastics, based on lipophilic starch and glycerin obtained by thermoplastic extrusion process, Carvalho et al. (2010) adapted and created a technique for determining the thickness of bioplastics with the use of a micrometer (Model MDC-25M, Mitutoyo®, Japan), the average of 10 random measurements in different parts of the film. Measures taken after conditioning the film for 48 hours at 25˚C and 50% RH [5] . For tubular films every RS adjustment (ratio of breath) occur thickness variation on the perimeter of the film. The explanation resides in the influence of the matrix design and air cooling ring, the rheological characteristics of the polymer and processing conditions, influencing the flow behavior of the molten material by the die and subsequent attachment of the film geometry [9] . The largest fluctuation and higher normalized values in polyester films and polyester/vinyl, lies the irregular arrangement of the fibers in the matrix material and non-uniform deposition of the vinyl layer over it; in the process of lamination of films; Apart from handling in manufacturing and marketing, in whole or in part of fibers of these materials. By using digital thickness gauge, a significant difference was observed occur for nominal thickness value reported by the manufacturer in the polyethylene film and polyester/vinyl (Table 1 and Table 3). The obtained regression models for use micrometer; through collected data and use the software, configure the following equations:

Correlations have been shown for the weak polyethylene and polyester, by virtue of a greater thickness variation for the same temperature (Figure 1 and Figure 2); this can be explained due to a smaller variation in thickness, when observing the same temperature measurement (Figure 2). The linear regression models, created by the software, evidence the decrease of the thickness for all the plastic films tested, as it happens, the increase in the ambient temperature (Figures 1-3).

It can be explained, in the effect of altering the dimensional stability, by the surface stretching of the polymer molecules; Caused by the alteration between amorphous and crystalline zones or in the fibers [2] [3] [6] [12] , promoted by contact with the micrometer measuring surfaces (Measuring Pressure).

The difference in the models presented between films can also be attributed to the different coefficients of thermal expansion: represented by the different nature of these materials and the manufacturing processes by which they have passed [2] [3] . The correlation between thickness and temperature was stronger in the polyester/vinyl film (R² = 0.66) (in equation), evidenced by the previously reported effects. The coefficient of variation is indicated in the tables by CV (Tables 1-3). The graphics adjusted model are below. The results discussed above correspond to data from 2014 and 2015.

Considering that standardized tools to measure the thickness of films are costly, the use of a digital micrometer for the reading of plastic films becomes useful in this type of use: this methodology for use in Agronomy science and Veterinary science is satisfactory for the types of films and range of thicknesses studied.

Teixeira, C.E.F., de Almeida Rebechi, I. and Fontaneli, R.S. (2017) Digital Micrometer Used in Thickness Measurement of Plastic Film Compared to Standardized Instrument. Materials Sciences and Applications, 8, 577-583. https://doi.org/10.4236/msa.2017.87040