Beyond Dyne Levels: New Surface Analyzer Provides Insights in Enercon’s Laboratory

Enercon’s laboratory now includes a a KRUSS Mobile Surface Analyzer (MSA) to measure the effects of surface treatment. The MSA measures surface free energy with two liquid. Two parallel drops receive direct analysis of the contact angles and the derived results of the surface free energy. All steps are automated. The results enable well-founded statements about wettability by aqueous or organic liquids. The BTG Surface Analyst measures contact angle.

Many in industry rely solely on dyne level readings to determine a surface’s readiness for bonding. Dyne level is an important component for adhesion as it indicates a surface’s ability to wet. However it is not uncommon to see different adhesion results from comparable dyne levels due to the polarity compatibility of the surface and the ink, adhesive or coating being used.

Enercon’s lab engineers recently used the KRUSS MSA device to test blown ion plasma treatment results on a variety of surfaces (Table 1). In each case the free surface energy was increased. Peel strength tests were conducted and for this group of materials total surface energy correlated to an increase in peel strength.

Interestingly, in other trials with different materials, the total surface energy did not always correspond to an increase in peel strength. This is due to the specific polar and non polar components of both the surface and the adhesive coating in each trial.

If you would like to schedule a laboratory trial for your next application please contact us.

Table 1: Surface Energy Blown Ion Plasma Treatment Test Results (Measured in mN/m)
Material	Initial Surface Energy			Final Surface Energy
	Polar	Non	Total	Polar	Non	Total
PP	1.5	28.1	29.7	14.3	35.4	49.6
PE	0.3	28.4	28.7	21.4	38.5	59.9
PET	0.3	28.4	28.7	27.7	34.6	62.3
CF	2.2	35.4	37.6	20.1	37.7	57.2

Table 2: Peel Test Strength After Treatment
Material	Initial	Final
PP	0.22	0.45
PE	0.02	0.16
PET	0.16	0.21
CF	0.27	0.31