Quick Test Pens 38 mN/m (38 - 40 mN/m)

Standard Test Pens 30 - 56 mN/m

Test Inks 30 - 72 mN/m

*Quick Test Result      *Reliable Test Method      *Easy to Use

*Avoid Producing Scrap Material      *Inexpensive to purchase

Using QUICK TEST PENS to measure the surface tension

To perform the test, a line of ink is applied to the film with the pen and the behavior of the ink observed.

If the ink forms a solid line, the film has a surface energy of at least 38 mN/m and can be used for printing and other converting steps. The line remains solid visible and indicates to operators which side of the film was treated for ease of handling on follow up machines to have the correct film path.

If the ink contracts and does not form a solid line, the film’s surface energy is below 38 mN/m. This indicates that the film is insufficiently treated for most converting processes.

Using STANDARD TEST PENS to measure the surface tension

The test itself is carried out quickly and easily by simply drawing a line of test ink across the substrate.

Whether the film has a higher or lower Dyne value than the test ink is determined within the first 3 seconds after application as the line of ink either remains stable or reticulates (breaks up into droplets). On a partially treated substrate the test ink can also be used to indicate if the correct areas were treated.

Our Dyne test markers are supplied in Dyne value range from 30-56 dyne/cm (30-56 Nm/m) in steps of 2 Dyne. They are delivered complete with user instructions, and are sold singly or in sets with Dyne values of your own choice.

Using DYNE INKS to measure the surface tension

To perform the test, lines of different inks are applied to the film in question and their behavior observed. By observing the individual behavior of different test inks, the test ink with the ideal ink behavior is identified.

The surface tension of the test ink with the ideal ink behavior is then identical to the surface energy of the film. Whether the film has a higher or lower Dyne value than the test ink is determined within the first 3 seconds after application as the line of ink either remains stable or reticulates (breaks up into droplets).

On a partially treated substrate the test ink can also be used to indicate if the correct areas were treated.

Test inks are available separately – in bottles of 30 ml with surface tensions ranging from 30 to 72 mN/m.