Getting the best out of simple surface energy measurement

Understanding a substrate's surface energy is a crucial aspect of any bonding or coating process, as well as any process that involves adhesion. During the specification phase, it is necessary to understand surface energy and wettability quantitatively to ensure adhesion. In the production phase, measuring surface energy takes on a more qualitative and process control function. Dyne Pens and Inks, from Dyne Testing (an Intertronics brand) can be used to assess surface energy and wetting.

If you are printing, painting, bonding, or sealing, good adhesion is a crucial issue. If you do not understand the surface energy of the adhesive material and the substrate, as well as the difference between them, you risk problems with wetting, adhesion quality, and complete coating coverage. This applies during the material and substrate specification phase, where you may want quantitative data. In the production phase, checking surface energy can help you identify process failures (e.g., cleaning, surface preparation such as corona or plasma treatment) or other unintended surface changes.

Dyne pens are handheld surface energy analysis tools that can be employed in any environment on solid substrates. They are available in different 'Dyne' levels. When a Dyne test pen is applied to the surface, the ink either forms a continuous film on the surface or pulls back into small droplets. If the liquid remains a film for three seconds, the surface energy of the substrate has a minimum value of that Dyne pen ink value. If the ink draws back, then the surface energy of the substrate is lower than that of the ink. The exact surface energy can be determined by applying various Dyne pens or inks, which provide a rapid indication of the surface energy of the material. Alternatively, by using a pen to test for a minimum acceptable Dyne level, the technique becomes a simple but effective go/no-go process.

By consistently following the standardised test procedure and selecting the Dyne pen range suitable for the application, users achieve consistent and repeatable results. With the advantage of being quick and relatively inexpensive, the pens have become a popular and ubiquitous tool in many industrial and laboratory settings.

Dyne pens have found countless applications throughout the industry in research, product development, process control, incoming inspection, and finished product verification. Following the standard testing procedure is essential to successful use. These pens provide an analysis of substrate surface energy, giving fast and cost-effective results.