Corona Treatment for Printing Applications

The Core Problem

Printing adhesion depends on surface energy. Most polymer films and rigid plastics have low surface energy, making it difficult for inks to properly wet and anchor to the surface. That’s where corona treatment becomes critical.

How Corona Treatment Solves It

For proper wetting to occur, the surface energy of the substrate must exceed the surface tension of the ink, typically by 8-10 mN/m (dynes/cm). If it doesn’t, the ink beads instead of spreading.

Corona treatment increases the surface energy by chemically modifying the surface, improving wettability and ink anchorage.

Printing Processes That Use Corona Treatment

QC Electronics specializes in sizing corona treatment systems to deliver the proper surface energy based on the type of ink utilized. Every ink has a unique surface tension. The corona treater’s job is to raise the surface energy of the substrate (solid) to a compatible level of the ink’s unique surface tension (liquid). Water-based, solvent-based, and UV-based inks all have their own unique requirements, which QC Electronics is properly equipped to render. The following are common processes we pair corona treatment systems to:

• Flexographic Printing
• Rotogravure Printing
• Digital/Inkjet Printing
• Wide format/Signage

*Make sure your supplier understands the chemistry of inks and the relationship between surface tension and surface energy.