Surface Energy Test Inks

Surface Energy Test Inks provide an accurate measurement of surface energy. Surface energy is the property of a surface arising from unbalanced molecular forces at or near the surface, compared to those in the bulk material.

How surface energy test inks work – If a liquid is applied to the surface and its surface energy is higher than the surface energy of a material to which it is applied then the liquid tends to form droplets. If the surface energy of the liquid is lower than that of the surface to which it is applied it will spread out or “wet” the surface evenly.

SURFACE ENERGY TESTING:

By brushing surface energy test Inks of progressively increasing surface tension over a plasma treated surface, one can accurately ascertain the material surface energy, and therefore the improvement in wettability and bonding characteristics compared with an untreated surface.

Surface energy is normally measured in energy units called dynes/cm or mN/m. Individual surface energy test inks are supplied in 12ml bottles of varying surface tension from 12mN/m to 105mN/m, or as handy kits with fluids that have a selection of surface tension levels; 28 mN/m, 38, 48, 56, 64, 72 and 105 mN/m.