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Surface Energies of Polymers:
Many plastics are hydrophobic and are not naturally "wettable".
As a general rule, acceptable adhesion is achieved when the surface
energy of the solid substrate (measured in dynes/cm) is
approximately 8-10 dynes/cm greater than the surface tension of the
liquid. Table 1.0 shows typical surface energies for untreated
polymer substrates. Due to the vast differences between resin
formulations, the values listed below should be used for general
benchmark purposes.
Table 1.0 -- Surface Energies of Untreated Polymers
| Hydrocarbons |
Surface energy (dynes/cm) |
| Polypropylene,
OPP, BOPP |
29-31 |
| Polyethylene |
30-31 |
| Polyvinyl
Acetate (PVA) Copolymer |
33-44 |
| Polystyrene |
38 |
| Polystyrene (low
ionomer) |
33 |
| ABS |
35-42 |
| Polyamide |
<36 |
| Epoxy |
<36 |
| Polyester |
41-44 |
| Rigid PVC |
39 |
| Plasticized PVC |
33-38 |
| Engineering
Thermoplastics |
| PET |
41-44 |
| Polycarbonate |
46 |
| Polyimide |
40 |
| Polyacetal |
<36 |
| Polyphenylene
oxide (PPO) |
47 |
| PBT |
32 |
| Polysulfone |
41 |
| Polyethersulfone |
50 |
| Polyphenylene
sulfide (PPS) |
38 |
| Nylon |
33-46 |
| Fluorocarbons |
| Polyethylene
copolymer |
20-24 |
| Fluorinated
ethylene propylene |
18-22 |
| Polyvinyl
fluoride |
28 |
| Elastomers |
| Silicone |
24 |
| Natural rubber |
24 |
| Styrene
butadiene rubber
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