What to Know About MIL-DTL-117

The MIL-DTL-117 specification is the military standard for heat-sealable barrier bags used to preserve and protect sensitive equipment. Approved for use by all U.S. Department of Defense agencies, this specification covers heavy-duty, watervaporproof, waterproof, and electrostatic protective bags designed to safeguard mission-critical parts in storage or shipment.

At Royco Packaging, we don’t just meet this specification—we’ve built decades of expertise around it. For nearly 50 years our team has specialized in custom pouch converting, producing everything from small precision bags for electronics to large format watervaporproof pouches for heavy equipment. Whether you need a standard size or a completely custom configuration for military packaging programs, you can trust Royco Packaging to deliver precision, consistency, and confidence with every pouch.

The Nitty-Gritty - Understanding the Details of MIL-DTL-117J

The MIL-DTL-117J specification defines the design, materials, and performance standards for heat-sealable barrier bags used in military preservation programs. Interpreting the requirements in your specific contract can be confusing to say the least. When in doubt, call or contact us for expert guidance.

Bags are available in four duty levels (Types I–IV) depending on the protection required:

Type I – Heavy Duty
Type II – Medium Duty
Type III – Light Duty
Type IV – Extra-Heavy Duty

Each bag type is paired with a Class that describes its performance characteristics:

Class B: Waterproof
Class C: Waterproof & Greaseproof
Class E: Watervaporproof & Greaseproof
Class F: Watervaporproof, Electrostatic-Protective & Shielding
Class H: Waterproof, Electrostatic-Protective

Finally, bags are give a style which describes whether they are opaque, transparent, or a combination style.

It’s worth noting that not every combination of Type, Class, and Style is available under the MIL-DTL-117 specification. The quickest way to confirm what can actually be manufactured is to review this chart, which shows all approved pouch constructions and their corresponding barrier materials.

Adding to the complexity, many contracts and packing instructions include multiple acceptable options, leaving it up to the contractor to choose the most suitable configuration. In the end, the right choice depends on the specific application, required protection level, and overall cost considerations. Royco’s specialists can help you navigate these options and select the best fit for your project.

Quality You Can Trust

Each MIL-DTL-117 bag must pass stringent heat-seal strength, visual inspection, and dimensional tolerance tests outlined in MIL-STD-3010. These tests ensure every bag maintains a reliable seal, consistent thickness, and no imperfections like pinholes or delamination.

At Royco Packaging, quality is at the core of everything we do. Every production run is inspected, documented, and tested to ensure compliance and performance under the most demanding conditions. That’s why defense contractors, aerospace suppliers, and government depots trust Royco's pouches for long-term preservation, export packaging, and mission deployment.

Why Choose Royco Packaging

Royco Packaging has decades of hands-on experience converting barrier films into precision heat-sealed bags and tubing that meet or exceed MIL-DTL-117 requirements. We help thousands of customers every year, ranging from small specialty manufacturers to major defense contractors, who choose us for:

Custom converting for unique dimensions and closure configurations
Fast turnaround on both small-batch and large-volume runs
Certified MIL-SPEC barrier materials including MIL-PRF-131 barrier rollstock, MIL-PRF-121, MIL-PRF-22191, and MIL-PRF-81705
In-house testing and verification for seal strength and workmanship
Responsive service and in-house technical knowledge

No matter the scale, every pouch leaving Royco’s floor represents the same promise: Quality manufacturing, certified products, and protection you can count on.

Contact a Packaging Specialist

Our certified packaging specialists are available to assist with your project, provide recommendations, or help place an order.

Call 1-800-677-6926 or email our team at sales@roycopackaging.com

Royco Packaging — Mission Critical Protection. Made in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine the right combination of Type, Class, and Style for my specific protection needs?

The correct MIL-DTL-117 Type, Class, and Style should be determined from the contract or packaging requirement and the hazards the item must withstand. Type defines duty level, from light through extra-heavy constructions. Class defines the performance requirement, such as waterproof, greaseproof, watervaporproof, or electrostatic protection. Style describes the approved bag configuration or transparency characteristics. Not every Type/Class/Style combination is permitted by the specification, so the selection must be checked against MIL-DTL-117J rather than assembled freely. Royco Packaging specializes in custom pouch converting and can help customers interpret the callout, select an approved construction, and match it to qualified barrier material.

What's the difference between Class F and Class H when it comes to electrostatic protection on a barrier bag?

Under MIL-DTL-117J, Class F and Class H both address electrostatic protection, but they provide different environmental barrier performance. Class F is watervaporproof, electrostatic-protective, and shielding, making it suitable when sensitive electronics need both ESD control and a strong moisture-vapor barrier. Class H is waterproof and electrostatic-protective, but it does not provide the same watervaporproof performance as Class F. That difference matters for long-term storage, Method 50 preservation, or moisture-sensitive electronics. Royco Packaging can manufacture or supply MIL-DTL-117 pouches using qualified materials such as MIL-PRF-81705 and can help customers select the correct class from the contract or preservation requirement.

What does MIL-STD-3010 actually test, and why does that testing matter for guaranteeing heat-seal quality?

MIL-STD-3010 is a Department of Defense test-method standard used to evaluate packaging materials and finished packages through standardized laboratory procedures. For MIL-DTL-117 bags, applicable testing can verify characteristics such as material performance, heat-seal strength, seam integrity, leakage resistance, and workmanship depending on the required construction. The purpose is consistency: a pouch should not be accepted merely because it looks sealed; it must demonstrate that the material and seams meet the defined performance criteria. Royco Packaging performs controlled converting and testing under its quality system and supplies certification documentation for applicable military pouches. This helps customers support receiving inspection and reduces the risk of seal-related preservation failures.

If a contract or packing instruction lists several acceptable Type/Class options, how do I decide the best choice between cost and protection level?

If a contract lists more than one acceptable MIL-DTL-117 Type/Class option, the best choice balances the actual environmental risk, component sensitivity, handling conditions, storage duration, and cost. A heavier duty or watervaporproof ESD construction may provide more protection, but it can add material cost and may be unnecessary for a short, controlled shipment. Conversely, choosing only the least expensive option can create risk if the item is moisture- or static-sensitive. Royco Packaging's certified specialists can review the acceptable combinations and help compare material cost, availability, pouch durability, ESD needs, and preservation method. The goal is to use the least costly approved construction that fully satisfies the contract and protection requirement.

Can Royco produce custom sizes or configurations outside the standard offerings to meet specific MIL-DTL-117J requirements?

Yes. Royco Packaging specializes in custom MIL-DTL-117 pouch converting and can produce non-standard dimensions or configurations when a stock bag does not fit the component. Custom work can include unusual pouch sizes, specialized material constructions, and printing such as NSN, nomenclature, or handling instructions, provided the finished design remains within the combinations permitted by MIL-DTL-117J and the referenced barrier-material specifications. Royco can also support prototype development and qualification testing for specialized programs. Customers should provide the required Type, Class, Style, dimensions, quantity, and contract wording. The packaging team can then confirm whether the requested configuration is allowed and recommend the appropriate material and manufacturing approach.