surface tension of plastic films
FTM15
scope
This method covers measurement of the surface tension
of plastic film surfaces in contact with drops of specific
test fluids. Surface tension (wettability) of plastic films is
one of the properties used to judge surface characteristics
related to printability and adhesion of other coatings/
adhesives. Although the print key or adhesion property is
not dependent on the surface tension only, this method is
often used as a quick practical method. It is furthermore
important to note that the determined wettability
characterises the immediate surface condition only, and
that this condition can change during storage.
definition
The surface tension is measured by applying to the surface
of the plastic film, a test fluid of known surface tension and
recording the time taken for the continuous film of the fluid
to break into droplets. The surface tension is defined as
that level when a continuous film of the test fluid remains
intact for 2 seconds.
Picture 1: example of test specimen staying as applied and
breaking into droplets
test equipment
A range of test fluids.
A stopwatch.
test pieces
The test specimens must be at least 200 mm x 10 mm
taken with their length in the cross direction of the roll.
test condition
23°C ± 2°C and 50% RH ± 5% RH. The test sample should
preferably be conditioned for not less than four hours
before testing, unless an immediate reading is required.
test fluids
For polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and/or similar
type of films, test fluids A, according to Table 1 are
prepared by mixing Formamide (surface tension = 58
mN/m and 2 ethoxyethanol (surface tension 30 mN/m).
These chemical raw materials may not be readily available.
In that case FINAT recommends the use of ready prepared
solutions as listed at the end of this test method.
Approximately 1 gram of a blue dye (e.g. Victoria blue or
Methylene blue) is added to each litre of test fluid.
For plastic films such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) which are
affected (e.g. swelling) by the test fluids of series A, the test
fluids B shown in Table 2 are prepared by mixing methanol
(surface tension 23 mN/m) and distilled water, or water of
similar quality (surface tension 73 mN/m). Approximately 1
gram of a red soluble dye (e.g. Fuchsine) is added to each
litre of test fluid.
procedure
Lay the specimen on a smooth flat surface. Spread the
test fluid of known surface tension using a felt tip pen or
soft brush lightly over an area of approximately 200 mm x
10 mm of the test specimen. Note the time taken for the
continuous film of the fluid to break into droplets. Breaking
of the fluid into drops in less than two seconds, a lower
numbered test fluid should be tried.
Shrinkage of the liquid film on the sides of the applied fluid
does not necessarily indicate a lack of wetting. The aim is
to establish the lowest reading at an optimal dwell time of
two seconds.
Extreme care must be taken to ensure that the film surface
is not touched or contaminated in the areas in which the
tests are to be made as this will influence the test results.
results
FINAT TECHNICAL HANDBOOK 2014 |
The lowest reading (surface tension) at an optimum dwell
of two seconds is deemed equivalent to the surface tension
of the test piece, and is recorded in mN/m (see Notes).
33
 FTM15 surface tension of plastic films

notes Table 1 : Test Fluid Series A

Surface tensions
1. Ready made test fluids of series A (see Table 1) can be 2-Ethoxyéthanol Formamide
of Test Fluids
obtained from: vol.% vol.%
Series A [mN/m]

Pillar Technologies 30 100.0 -

www.pillartech.com 32 89.5 10.5
34 73.5 26.5
Arcotec GmbH
www.arcotec.com 36 57.5 42.5
38 46.0 54.0
For addresses please consult section 3.3 of this book. 40 36.5 63.5
42 28.6 71.5
2. The test fluids must be kept in brown glass containers.
The test fluids should be renewed depending on 44 22.0 78.0
frequency of use, e.g. when used on a daily basis 46 17.0 83.0
dispose of remaining fluid after three months. 48 13.0 87.0
50 9.3 90.7
3. All precautions must be maintained when handling
the chemicals used in the test fluids as they can be 52 6.3 93.7
injurious to health and can cause skin irritation. 54 3.5 96.5
56 1.0 99.0
4. The Sl unit for this property is mN/m and replaces the
formerly used Dyne/cm, conversion factor being one
to one. Table 2. Test Fluid Series B

5. Preparation of solution by volume is best done by Surface tensions

Methanol Water
measuring separately and adding together. of Test Fluids
vol.% vol.%
Series B [mN/m]
6. For more accurate determination of surface tension, 30 67.0 33.0
contact angle measuring equipment is used. Such
32 59.8 40.2
units can be purchased from Lorentzen & Wettre as a
L & W Surface Wettability Tester, Code 28. However, 34 53.5 46.5
it must be noted that the results obtained may not 36 47.9 51.1
necessarily be comparable. 38 42.8 57.2
40 38.3 61.7
7. DIN 53 364 and ASTM D2578-67 are standards
relating to surface tension measurement. 42 34.2 65.8
44 30.5 69.5
8. FINAT FTM 15 is an effective tool for quick and reliable 46 27.1 72.9
printability assessment of print substrates in terms
48 24.0 76.0
of their surface tension. Experience has shown that
print substrates tend to show poor printability if their 50 21.1 78.9
surface tension is below 38 mN/m. In this case, test 52 18.5 81.5
prints should 54 16.0 84.0
FINAT TECHNICAL HANDBOOK 2014 |

56 13.7 86.3
be produced. With surface tension levels below 31
mN/m, print substrates are no longer printable with
standard printing inks at all, but will generally require These chemical raw materials may not be readily available.
special inks. The surface tension limit value (38 mN/m) is In that case FINAT recommends the use of ready prepared
correspondingly valid for other upgrading processes, such solutions as listed previously.
as varnishing, gluing, laminating and hot film embossing.
Issued April 1991
Revised March 2005
Addresses revised January 2014
34