Corona Treating for Film Converting and Extrusion Applications

Successfully applying a high quality, continuous web coating requires advanced and versatile technologies which can effectively meet the varied needs for films. Surface treatment plays an important role in this process. The properties of the substrate are therefore absolutely critical to ensure good coating quality and product performance.

Flexible packaging converters and label printers know that almost all engineered films have nonporus surfaces with inherently low surface energy. These films are surface treated at the time of extrusion, but also require in-line treatment at the time of conversion.

Most cast and blown film extruding applications are best served with a covered roll surface treater. Enercon offers two types of covered roll systems for extruding applications.

Embossed films have peaks and valleys that create a special set of circumstances when it comes to interacting with corona. To minimize the chance of pinholing Enercon has developed a special ceramic electrode treater station design that minimizes filamentary discharges and also expertly manages the films’ exposure to watt density per square inch without sacrificing treatment levels.

The task of optimizing printing adhesion can be difficult, primarily because of the many process variables which require control. There are six major printing/decorating processes, each distinguished by the method in which ink and an image are transferred to a substrate, and by the method by which the ink and image are conveyed for adhesion to a substrate. Almost all surfaces require preparation to establish minimum adhesion requirements. This step is known as pretreatment and post-treatment, and influenced by the base material surface receptivity of the ink layer.

For many industrial applications, the use of a single ply of a material does not provide all of the critical properties required for the optimal performance of a product. In these cases, a composite of two or more layers of material can provide this required performance. A common method of creating such a composite is to laminate various materials to each other with an adhesive. Surface treating solutions such as corona treaters, atmospheric plasma systems and flame treaters are often used to improve lamination adhesion.

Metallized film presents adhesion challenges to both film suppliers and converters. Today, new developments in surface treatment are creating competitive advantages by extending surface energy stability on metallized film.

When it comes to surface treatment on a blown film line there are a number of different philosophies employed. Factors including budget, available space, and specific application criteria all contribute to your ultimate decision.

The use of corona treating to improve adhesion on water based ink formulations is widely accepted as a best practice. However printers who use solvent inks may not realize that there is much to be gained from using a corona treater for solvent printing applications.

Successfully applying a high quality, continuous web coating requires advanced and versatile technologies which can effectively meet the varied needs for films. Surface treatment plays an important role in this process. The properties of the substrate are therefore absolutely critical to ensure good coating quality and product performance.

Most cast and blown film extruding applications are best served with a covered roll surface treater. Enercon offers two types of covered roll systems for extruding applications.

Atmospheric plasma surface treaters are used for many applications in the electronics industry. Plasma’s ability to modify surfaces and impart surface functionality economically improves manufacturing operations.

Pre-treatment of pipe coatings in Pipe Rehabilitation within the oil, gas and water markets can dramatically reduce material costs and restore pipe integrity. Plasma-enhanced bonding can provide insurance for corrosion mitigation, and aid pinhole, dent and bend repairs.

The task of optimizing printing adhesion can be difficult, primarily because of the many process variables which require control. There are six major printing/decorating processes, each distinguished by the method in which ink and an image are transferred to a substrate, and by the method by which the ink and image are conveyed for adhesion to a substrate. Almost all surfaces require preparation to establish minimum adhesion requirements. This step is known as pretreatment and post-treatment, and influenced by the base material surface receptivity of the ink layer.

For many industrial applications, the use of a single ply of a material does not provide all of the critical properties required for the optimal performance of a product. In these cases, a composite of two or more layers of material can provide this required performance. A common method of creating such a composite is to laminate various materials to each other with an adhesive. Surface treating solutions such as corona treaters, atmospheric plasma systems and flame treaters are often used to improve lamination adhesion.

Manufacturers of lithium ion batteries have found significant benefits to encorporating surface treatment into their fabrication operations. Surface treatment offers real opportunities for in-line continuous improvements in surface wettability and cleanliness as dry surface treatment processes.

When packagers are faced with label adhesion challenges flame and plasma surface treaters are often used to increase bond strength. Label adhesion problems occur because many of the container, lid and cap materials used in packaging are chemically inert and non receptive to bonding with glue.

Metallized film presents adhesion challenges to both film suppliers and converters. Today, new developments in surface treatment are creating competitive advantages by extending surface energy stability on metallized film.

When it comes to surface treatment on a blown film line there are a number of different philosophies employed. Factors including budget, available space, and specific application criteria all contribute to your ultimate decision.

Foams can be difficult to surface treat for adherence to other materials. Manufacturers use a variety of thermoplastic and thermoset resins, resulting in foams either having a high resident surface energy or low surface energy. Foams manufactured of low surface tension polyolefins require surface treatment when applying adhesives foams, in order for it to penetrate into the foam structure.

Integrate the completely continuous in-line manufacturing of rigid module and flexible photovoltaics cells by utilizing a variable chemistry surface modification technique relative to complex material constructions significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

Integrate the completely continuous in-line manufacturing of rigid module and flexible photovoltaics cells by utilizing a variable chemistry surface modification technique relative to complex material constructions significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

Plasma surface treatment is being applied to textiles, filaments and yarns for the primary purposes of desizing, dye uptake, printing ink adhesion, and final finishing treatments such as softening, hydrophilization, easy-care and anti-shrinkage.

RFID Tags are being incorporated more commonly to ensure the quality and authenticity of the labeled products from producers to end-users. What used to be a simple tag is requires the complex construction of conductive inks, microchips and metalized antenna coils.