Adhesives, Coatings & Substrates
What key slitting factors impact the handling of adhesive webs? Paid Members Public
When it comes to Adhesive Web Slitting, there are two different worlds … Science and Manufacturing (see Figure 1). Science deals with creating the many, many different adhesives to be applied to the very large variety of manufactured, flexible-web materials. The two main adhesive-web application types that the converting industry deals
Coating Concepts: Product-process integration: What is the right coating method? Part 1 Paid Members Public
There are three common ways to pick a coating method: inertia, flowcharts and screening tables. The practical advantages of inertia speak for themselves. However, the use of removable-cartridge coaters has reduced the barriers to change. Also, it often is more economical to find a contract manufacturer with the “right” method
Photoinitiated addition-cure for silicone-release coatings: Part 2 Paid Members Public
Silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) polymers are unique materials that are chemically inert and of low polarity that remain fluid at temperatures as low as -120° C and retain useful properties at temperatures >250° C for extended times. Cross-linked silicone polymers can be bulk-solid elastomers, rubbers, gels and low-surface-energy coatings capable of lightly

How proper treatment for flexible laminates helps achieve high bond strength, zero optical defects Paid Members Public
This article discusses the main criteria for high-quality lamination used in today’s flexible packaging sector and the role that surface treatment plays with sophisticated substrates. Lamination requires two essentials: bond strength and zero visual defects. Fundamental to both is the need to understand the part played by surface tension
COATING CONCEPTS | Product-process integration: What is the right coating method? Part 2 Paid Members Public
The previous installment in this series covered the first step in choosing a coating method: flowcharts and screening tables. Here, we turn to the next two steps: pilot tests and fine-tuning to get a more robust process. Click the link below to download the full article.
SUBSTRATE SECRETS | What, why, and how do we measure substrate properties? Part 1 Paid Members Public
Substrates harbor many secrets. Some are easy to discern (such as haze and gloss), while others (such as barrier, tensile strength or heat-sealing properties) can’t be known by simple visual appearance. However, they should all be measured to ensure accurate property levels are met or known. But which properties