Surface Tension (Dyne Level) Testing

For well over 30 years, dyne solutions have been used to measure wetting and predict adhesive potential of plastics and coated paperboard. This method is widely used to test the treatment level of plastic films intended for printing, laminating, and coating. Test results are based on how varying surface tension solutions react when applied to a non-absorptive surface: If a given solution wets the surface, its dyne level is lower than the substrate’s; if, instead, it rapidly forms beads, its dyne level exceeds that of the substrate. This method offers adequate precision and replicability for most capability studies, materials research, and process control. An alternative method, which is better suited to online use, employs ACCU DYNE TEST™ Marker Pens; please see the next page and pages 9 through 11 for details and recommended applications.

		Printing Processes												Other Processes
		Flexo and Gravure			Litho			Offset/ Letterpress			Screen and Pad			Laminating(6)			Coating
	Coating Type:
	PE(2)	38 44	36 40	38 50	40 46	37 42	40 50	40 46	37 42	42 54	42 48	38 44	44 60	42 50	38 44	42 54	42 48	38 45	44 54
	PP(3)	38 44	36 40	40 50	40 46	38 42	40 50	40 46	37 42	40 54	42 48	38 44	44 60	42 50	38 44	42 54	42 48	38 45	44 54
	PVC(4)	38 44	36 40	36 50	40 45	37 42	36 52	40 45	38 42	40 52	42 48	38 44	42 60	42 50	38 44	42 54	40 48	38 45	42 54
	PET(5)	44 52	40 46	42 54	46 56	42 46	44 56	46 56	42 46	46 60	48 60	42 48	44 62	46 60	42 48	44 62	42 52	42 48	46 60
	PS	38 44	35 40	42 48	40 45	37 42	42 50	40 46	38 44	42 58	42 48	38 44	42 56	42 52	37 44	42 54	42 50	38 46	44 54
	PVDC	40 46	38 42	42 52	42 46	40 42	42 52	42 48	38 44	42 54	42 50	40 45	42 58	42 50	38 44	44 52	42 48	40 46	44 54
	PU	40 46	38 42	38 50	40 46	38 42	38 52	40 45	38 44	42 56	42 50	38 44	42 58	42 50	38 44	42 56	42 48	38 46	44 54
	ABS	42 46	40 44	40 52	42 46	40 45	42 52	42 48	38 46	45 52	42 48	40 45	46 56	42 52	40 45	42 56	42 48	38 46	44 54
	PTFE	40 44	34 39	36 52	40 45	35 40	38 52	40 48	38 44	42 60	42 52	38 46	42 60	42 56	38 46	42 56	42 50	40 48	42 54
	Silicone	40 44	35 40	40 50	40 45	38 42	38 52	40 48	38 44	40 56	42 50	38 46	42 60	42 56	38 46	42 56	42 50	40 48	42 54

NOTES: In most cases, jobs can be run if the substrate – at run-time – is somewhere between the low and high dyne levels cited. For demanding runs (e.g., high web speeds and/or critical quality process work), it is safest to shoot for the top of the range. Use this chart as a general guideline only: each operation has slightly different requirements. These data are for flame or corona treatment in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. ⁽¹⁾ Some values theoretical. ⁽²⁾ Any density, any type, including films, coated board, and molded products. ⁽³⁾ All types; cast or molded. ⁽⁴⁾ More plasticizer generally requires levels at the high end of these ranges. ⁽⁵⁾ Uncoated. ⁽⁶⁾ For heat sealing, the surface energies of the mating PE surfaces should match closely; if both faces are treated, heat sealing can usually be accomplished over a broader and lower temperature range.