Measuring Surface Energy On Non-Woven Substrates
There is no easy way to determine changes in surface energy on non-woven and woven substrates and we know of no official standards such as an ASTM method but there is a procedure. There are several methods to characterize the surface energy of nonwovens fibers. Of these, contact angle is the most readily applied. One…
Read MoreRecommended Surface Energy & Treatment Ranges for Printing & Coating Polymer Surfaces
We’re often asked what dyne level do I need to print on a particular type of film. Its a complex question that includes many variables beyond the material type and method of printing or coating. We can however provide general guidelines that you can use to start your own evaluations. The tables below list general…
Read MoreUsing Dyne Solutions and Dyne Pens to Measure Surface Energy On Non-Porous Substrates
Non-porous substrates, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and foils, need to have their surface energies altered in order for the proper flexographic ink adhesion to occur. An old general rule of thumb is that the substrate should have a dyne level (surface-energy measurement) of at least 10 dynes higher than the surface energy of the ink…
Read MoreWhy All Films Do Not Treat the Same And What You Need to Know When You Get Unexpected Treatment Results
The goal of a corona treater is to increase a film’s ability to bond with an ink, coating or lamination. But did you know that different types of film respond very differently to the same levels of corona treatment? Some films, like PS, respond very well to treatment at low power levels, while others, like polypropylene,…
Read MoreEquistar leverages the benefits of atmospheric plasma surface treating
Equistar Chemicals LP, is one of the world’s largest producers of ethylene, propylene, and polyethylene resins. Its facilities have a combined annual capacity to produce more than 11 billion lb of ethylene and more than 5 billion lb of polyethylene, along with other specialty products such as ethyl vinyl acetate. So it’s not surprising Equistar’s…
Read MoreStop High Voltage Arcs Before They Cause Downtime
In corona treating, a high voltage arc occurs when the intended path of electrical current is disrupted because it finds an easier path to ground. Over 80% of the time, the location of the high voltage arc is in the area of the electrode and ground roll where corona is created. This webinar explains how…
Read MoreHow to Extend the Life of Your Ceramic Electrodes
Did you know that some Enercon customers have never had a failed ceramic electrode? If you’re like most converters you may find that hard to believe. What impact would it have on your business if you could reduce occurrences of failed electrodes? Reasons for electrode failures include overheating, overpowering and physical shock. Overheating is the…
Read MoreWeb Handling Best Practices for Surface Treating & Converting
Poor web handling creates trouble for your corona treater operations. In fact, poor web handling is often a hidden root cause of suspected treatment issues. The good news is you can avoid these problems. The key is accurately defining your application so your corona treater supplier & OEM can employ the web handling techniques needed…
Read MoreCorona Treating Maintenance Best Practices
This informative webinar will provide you with the industry’s best practices to keep your corona treater in top running condition. Learn what to look for and how to remedy common problems that cause downtime: From electrodes to rolls, from power supplies to exhaust system, this webinar covers it all.
Read MoreSolventless Laminating Best Practices
Printers and converters who integrate solventless laminating enjoy a competitive advantage by offering their customers a single source for flexible packaging. Thanks to recent advancements in laminating process technology, adhesive chemistry and equipment design, implementing a solventless laminating operation has never been easier. However, it’s important that operators understand the basic principles and variables of…
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