Definition
A high-voltage discharge process that raises a film’s surface energy to improve ink and adhesive wetting.
Applications
- Pre-print treatment of PE/PP
- Pre-lamination of polyolefins
- Inline press treatment for challenging substrates
Benefits
- Improves ink anchorage
- Reduces pinholes and adhesion failures
- Stabilizes lamination bonds
Industry Examples
- Medical: treated PE webs to maintain bond integrity in pouch laminations.
- Industrial: treatment for robust printing on HDPE liners and bulk wraps.
- Electronics: raises surface energy on polyethylene ESD films to ensure reliable adhesion of warning labels and traceability codes.
Click to enlarge
FAQ
Q: How long does treatment last?
A: It can decay—print/laminate soon after treatment when possible.
Q: What dyne level is typical for printing?
A: Often ~38–42 dynes depending on inks and process.