Protex Protective Paper & Film — Full Product Guide
Protex Protective Paper & Film, Explained
Which Mask-Off Protex grade do you need? Scratch-protection paper, heavy-duty composite masking, and transparent UV film — matched to your surface and your process.
Protex, made by Mask-Off Company since 1950, is the aerospace industry's specified line of protective papers and films — used to shield aluminum skins, canopies, windshields, composites and painted surfaces during manufacturing, finishing and transport. All four grades below are listed by Mask-Off to Boeing BAC 5034, Type IV, Class 1, Grade A, and referenced in Boeing's BAC5034-4 material-selection tables — and Mask-Off publishes the Boeing sites and parts each one is already used on. The choice is really about which one fits your surface and your process.
Verify: Protex 5 spec sheet (PDF) · BAC5034-4 Table IV (Type VII)
Verify: Protex 10V spec sheet (PDF) · BAC5034-4 Tables III & IV
Verify: Protex 20V spec sheet (PDF) · BAC5034-4 Tables II, III & IV
Verify: 8216-2L spec sheet (PDF) · BAC5034-4 Tables II, III & IV
Before you specify: Protex protective tapes are not intended for fly-away applications. Test before use on copper, brass or anodized aluminum, and before any outdoor exposure. Every grade is silicone-free and die-cuttable with a flat release liner, and all four carry a 1-year shelf life stored cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
Choose by what you're protecting
The practical decision is paper vs. film, then thickness. Reach for paper (5, 10V, 20V) when you need higher tack, scratch resistance and masking through machining; reach for film (8216-2L) when you need transparency, UV resistance, clean low-tack removal, or heat and outdoor exposure.
| If you need to… | Best fit | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Protect bare aluminum, titanium & painted skins through routing, drilling & riveting | 5-mil latex-saturated paper, drill-through, printed warning | Protex 5 |
| Protect acrylic/polycarbonate windows, canopies & windshields with added abrasion resistance | 10-mil vinyl-coated paper, die-cuttable | Protex 10V |
| Heavy-duty protection for composites, graphite tooling, windows & wing walk against impact | 20-mil heavy-duty vinyl-coated paper | Protex 20V |
| Protect where light transmission, UV resistance, high heat or outdoor exposure matters | 2-mil transparent low-tack polyester film, 325°F | Protex 8216-2L |
Specifications and qualifications
Mask-Off publishes two different kinds of Boeing reference for Protex, and they answer different questions. The qualification list says what the product is approved to. The BAC5034-4 material-selection tables say which protection job it is listed for.
Qualification list
| Qualification | Protex 5 | 10V | 20V | 8216-2L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing BAC 5034Type IV / Class 1 / Grade A | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boeing BAC 5317 | — | — | — | — |
| Airbus AIMS 12-6-001 | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| National Stock Number | 8135-00-946-2090 | 7510-01-121-8267 | 8135-00-654-98347510-01-054-4067 | — |
Boeing BAC 5317 (composite materials) covers Protex 50, 223-2 and 223-5 rather than the four stocked grades — see other grades if that is your callout. Mask-Off is AS9100C and ISO 9001 certified.
BAC5034-4 material-selection tables
BAC5034-4 doesn't name one material — it carries tables, and a product is listed in the table matching the kind of protection you need. Mask-Off publishes the table reference per grade:
Storage protection — aluminum, including BMS15-12 Type I, Class 1 coated. Listed for 20V and 8216-2L.
Transportation protection — detail parts and assemblies, metal surfaces with organic coatings. Listed for 10V, 20V and 8216-2L.
Manufacturing protection for Class 1 mechanical processing — machining and shop handling. Listed for all four stocked grades.
Within the tables, the practical choice: paper (higher tack, scratch protection, drill-through) vs. polyester film (transparent, low-tack, UV and heat).
BAC5034-4 covers both surface protection and carpet tape — different parts of the same spec. The Protex papers and films sit in the material-selection tables above. Polyken carpet tapes such as 105C and 108FR are called out under Section 5.1.a instead. A BAC5034-4 callout alone doesn't tell you which product — check the table or section number on your drawing. Our BAC 5034 guide covers both branches.
Where each grade sits on tack
Mask-Off ranks the range from less tack to more tack. Among the stocked grades: 8216-2L at 1–3 oz/in (lowest), Protex 5 at 17–22, then 10V and 20V together at 30–40. Suitable substrates per the product chart:
| Grade | Tack (oz/in) | Listed substrates |
|---|---|---|
| 8216-2L | 1–3 (−0.2/+0.6) | Metals, acrylics, plexiglass, polycarbonate, glass, plastics, painted surfaces |
| Protex 5 | 17–22 (−3/+4) | Aluminum, metal, titanium, wood, stainless steel, painted surfaces, plastics |
| 10V | 30–40 (−5/+7) | Acrylic, polycarbonate, bare metal, painted surfaces, plastics, plexiglass, glass, paint masking, leading edge, wing walk |
| 20V | 30–40 (−5/+7) | Acrylic, polycarbonate, bare metal, painted surfaces, plastics, plexiglass, glass, leading edge, wing walk |
Where Boeing already uses each grade
Mask-Off publishes the existing Protex applications by Boeing site. Useful when you're matching a product to a job someone else has already solved.
| Grade | Existing applications | Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Protex 5 | Cabin interior monuments · stow bins · outer wing rib protection · IRC applications | Renton, Everett |
| Protex 10V | Wing body join walk-on surfaces · outer wing rib protection · galley equipment protection | Renton, Everett |
| Protex 20V |
Exterior: leading edge protection · door edges (cabin, cargo, APU compartment, nose wheel well) · wing walk surfaces · over wing exit window edges · vertical fin / rudder mounting point · side of body protection. Interior: monument protection · lavatory floor and counter surfaces · galley floor protection · counter tops |
Charleston, Everett, Renton |
| 8216-2L | Flight deck windows · galley countertops | Charleston, Renton, Everett |
These are the manufacturer's published application references, not a substitution approval. Any use on your programme still has to be approved under your own engineering and quality procedures. Ask us for the documentation →
Compare the grades
At a glance
Full specification comparison
| Spec | Protex 5 | 10V | 20V | 8216-2L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Latex paper | Vinyl-coated paper | Vinyl-coated paper (heavy) | Polyester film |
| Color | Tan (red print) | Tan | Tan | Transparent green |
| Thickness | 4.1–5.1 mil | 9–12 mil | 19–23 mil | 2 mil |
| Basis weight | 42–49 lb/3,000 ft² | 80–100 lb/3,000 ft² | 175–187 lb/3,000 ft² | — |
| Adhesive | Natural latex | Natural latex | Natural latex | Acrylic latex (low tack) |
| Adhesion to steel | 17–22 oz/in | 30–40 oz/in (−5/+7) | 30–40 oz/in (−5/+7) | 1–3 oz/in (−0.2/+0.6) |
| Adhesion method | PSTC-1 (Mod.), silicone-free | PSTC-1 (Mod.), silicone-free | PSTC-1 (Modified) | PSTC-1 (Modified) |
| Tensile (M.D.) | 12.7 lb/in min | 35–45 lb/in min | 25 lb/in min | 30,000 PSI/mil |
| Elongation (M.D.) | 6.0% min | 3.0% min | 10% min | 106% at break |
| Elmendorf tear (M.D.) | 56 g min | 229 g min | 280 g min | 15 g |
| Elmendorf tear (C.D.) | 56 g min | — | 360 g min | — |
| UV resistant | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Max temp | — | — | — | 325°F · autoclave 350°F / 35 psi |
| Drill-through | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Shelf life | 1 year, stored cool and dry out of direct sunlight | |||
| Heat resistance | — | — | — | 1 yr outdoor & 150°F · 96 hr @ 290°F · autoclave 2 × 1 hr @ 350°F / 35 psi |
| Solvent resistance | — | — | — | 1,1,1-trichloroethane 1 hr @ 140°F, no transfer; excellent to toluene, MPK, alcohols, trichloroethylene |
| Mfr. standard rolls | 48″ × 60 yd | 36″ & 48″ × 60 yd | 36″ & 48″ × 30 yd | 36″ & 48″ × 100 yd |
| Roll sizes | 12–48″ × 60 yd | 12–48″ × 60 yd | 12–48″ × 30 yd | 12–48″ × 100 yd |
| Data sheet | TDS (PDF) ↓ | TDS (PDF) ↓ | TDS (PDF) ↓ | TDS (PDF) ↓ |
| Price from | $119.99 | $199.99 | $139.99 | $219.99 |
Physical values are taken from each product's current Mask-Off data sheet, linked in the Data sheet row above, and are stated at time of manufacture. Prices are current starting prices for the 12″ width and may change — note the roll lengths differ (20V is 30 yd, 8216-2L is 100 yd), so per-roll prices are not directly comparable. Confirm the live price on each product page, and always confirm performance against the controlling drawing and current data sheet.
Get pricing, lead time and a Certificate of Conformance
Send us these five things and we'll come back with the correct grade, stocked widths, custom die-cut options, lead time and pricing.
- Spec callout or part number
- Surface being protected
- Width and quantity
- Process (machining, paint, transport, autoclave)
- Required delivery date
Beyond the four stocked grades
The Mask-Off Protex guide also covers grades we can order to request, each with its own BAC5034-4 table reference:
- Protex 50 — 4–5 mil self-wound latex paper (no liner) for machine application to flat surfaces; stow bins and IRC work at Renton and Everett. 48″ × 100 yd.
- Protex 55 — 3.6–4.4 mil paper at 20–25 oz/in for decal pre-spacing and application, and to hold punched stencil (Sharpline 200) letters in registration. 48″ × 100 yd.
- Protex 223-5 — 5 mil high-tack polyester film for composite hold-down on the vacuum table during milling, and floor panels around galley and lavatory areas. Also BAC5317 approved for use on composite material. 48″ × 60 yd.
- Protex 1321D-3 — 3 mil polyester film for alclad and polished aluminum through drilling, routing, milling and forming; also blocks out areas during anodize, alodine and chemical milling. 36″ × 100 yd.
- Protex 8216-2 / 8216-5B — 2 mil and 5 mil tinted polyester films (green and blue) for flight deck windows, galley countertops and photoluminescent strips.
- Protex 8216-2DSHT (Debris Shield) — 2 mil film with adhesive on the outer edges only, leaving an uncoated centre so cabin windows are covered without adhesive contact. Used at Spirit Wichita on 737 fuselage. 29″ × 100 yd.
We can order any Mask-Off grade, plus custom widths and die-cut shapes. Ask us for a quote →
Browse everything in the range with live pricing and stock.
Shop All Protex →Protex comercial — guía rápida en español
Protex (fabricado por Mask-Off) es la línea de papeles y películas de protección de superficies para uso aeronáutico, referenciada en las tablas de selección de materiales de Boeing BAC5034-4. Para proteger pieles de aluminio durante el maquinado (taladrado, fresado), use el Protex 5. Para ventanas, cúpulas y parabrisas de acrílico, el 10V. Para composites y protección reforzada, el 20V. ¿Necesita película transparente con resistencia UV y al calor? El 8216-2L. Envíos a todo el mundo con Certificado de Conformidad cuando esté disponible. Ver todos los productos Protex →
About the manufacturer. Mask-Off was founded in 1950; its first customer was Lockheed, and McDonnell Douglas added Protex products to their DPM specifications in the early 1960s. Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, PPG, Gulfstream and Bombardier all specify Protex products today. Mask-Off received special recognition from Collier Award-winning Northrop Grumman for its role in B-2 bomber manufacturing, and has been AS9100C and ISO 9001 certified since 2015.
Frequently asked questions
What is Protex tape used for?
Protex is a line of aerospace-grade protective papers and films made by Mask-Off. They shield aluminum skins, canopies, windshields, composites, and painted surfaces from scratches and impact during manufacturing, finishing, and transport. The papers (5, 10V, 20V) offer higher tack and scratch protection; the film (8216-2L) offers transparency and UV/heat resistance.
What is the difference between Protex 5, 10V, and 20V?
All three are latex papers, differing in thickness, adhesion and abrasion resistance. Protex 5 is a 4–5 mil paper at 17–22 oz/in you can drill and route through — used on aluminum skins during fabrication. Protex 10V is a 9–12 mil vinyl-coated paper at 30–40 oz/in for windows, canopies and windshields. Protex 20V is a 19–23 mil heavy-duty vinyl-coated paper, also 30–40 oz/in, for composites, graphite tooling and impact protection.
When should I use Protex 8216-2L film instead of paper?
Use the 8216-2L polyester film when you need transparency (light transmission during a process), UV resistance for outdoor exposure, clean low-tack removal at 1–3 oz/in, or high-temperature and autoclave use up to 325°F sustained (350°F autoclave). The latex papers are better where you need higher tack and scratch protection through machining.
Are Protex tapes approved to Boeing BAC 5034?
Yes. Mask-Off lists all four stocked grades to Boeing BAC 5034, Type IV, Class 1, Grade A. They are separately referenced in the BAC5034-4 material-selection tables — all four in Table IV (Type VII, manufacturing protection), with 10V, 20V and 8216-2L also in Table III (transportation) and 20V and 8216-2L in Table II (Type V, storage). Protex 20V and 8216-2L additionally carry Airbus AIMS 12-6-001, and Protex 5, 10V and 20V are NSN-stocked. Mask-Off is AS9100C and ISO 9001 certified.
My drawing says BAC5034-4 — do I need a Protex product or a carpet tape?
Both are covered by BAC5034-4, in different parts of the spec, so the number alone doesn't decide it. The Protex protective papers and films are listed in the material-selection tables (II, III and IV) for storage, transportation and manufacturing protection. Polyken carpet tapes such as 105C and 108FR are called out under Section 5.1.a. Check the table or section number on your drawing — see our BAC 5034 guide for both branches.
How long can Protex be stored, and how long can it stay on a surface?
Mask-Off states a 1-year shelf life for all four grades when stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Time on the surface depends on the substrate and the environment — Protex is not intended for fly-away applications, and outdoor exposure, copper, brass and anodized aluminum should all be tested before use.
Do you carry the Protex 223 composite hold-down series?
The 223 series (223-2, 223-5, 223-5HT, 223-5VHT) is a Mask-Off polyester film used to hold aluminum and Nomex honeycomb on the vacuum table during composite milling — a different application from surface protection. We can order it and other Mask-Off grades on request; contact us for pricing and lead time.
Not sure which Protex product you need?
Send us your spec callout, surface and process and we'll confirm the right Protex grade, stocked widths, custom die-cut options, lead time and pricing. Certificate of Conformance included where available.
Shop All Protex →This guide is provided for general informational purposes. Physical performance figures and BAC5034-4 table references are drawn from the current Mask-Off Protex data sheets, product guide and July 2023 brochure, and are stated at time of manufacture; they are not for use in writing specifications. Protex protective papers and films are not intended for fly-away applications; test before use on copper, brass, or anodized aluminum and before outdoor exposure. Spec references (Boeing BAC5034-4 material-selection tables, BAC5317, Airbus AIMS 12-6-001, NSNs) are provided for identification; confirm the current revision, applicability and qualification status for your task with the manufacturer before purchase. Prices shown are current starting prices and may change; confirm the live price on each product page. Protex is a registered trademark of Mask-Off Company; Boeing and BAC are trademarks of The Boeing Company; AIMS is a trademark of Airbus. Other marks belong to their respective owners.