Surface treated bottle

This bottle was surface treated in the center then tested with a dyne pen. Note how the dyne solution adheres to the treated area but beads up in the non treated area.

Surface Tension Dyne Solution and Pens

Measuring Surface Energy with Dyne Test Solutions & Pens

3DT supplies professional dyne test solutions and dyne test pens to quickly verify the effectiveness of corona and atmospheric plasma surface treatment. These simple tools measure surface energy, helping ensure substrates are ready for printing, coating, painting, laminating, and adhesive bonding.

Dyne test solutions and pens measure a material’s surface energy, expressed in dynes/cm. Surface energy indicates how well a substrate can be wetted by inks, coatings, paints, and adhesives. In general, higher dyne levels mean better wettability and stronger adhesion.

Dyne testing is useful on polymers, rubber, films, foils, glass, and metal. Each substrate and application has its own set of dyne level requirements. For example, typical untreated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) have a surface energy of approximately 30 dynes/cm. After treatment, recommended levels are:

  • 38–40 dynes/cm for solvent-based printing inks
  • 42–44 dynes/cm for water-based printing inks
  • 48–56 dynes/cm for many coating and adhesive applications

Materials below approximately 37 dynes/cm often experience poor bonding and may fail adhesion tests, such as the tape test.

How Dyne Test Solution Works

Apply the dyne solution to the substrate and observe the liquid for 2 seconds.

  • If the solution remains as a continuous film, the substrate has a surface energy equal to or greater than the solution’s rating.
  • If the solution beads up or retracts, the surface energy is below that value and additional surface treatment may be required.

Dyne test solutions are available from 34 to 70 dynes/cm with an accuracy of ±1 dyne/cm. These are available from 3DT. The most common kit includes 10 bottles of 34 – 56 dyne/cm inks. Learn more.

Dyne Test Pens

3DT also offers 38 dynes/cm dyne test pens for fast, convenient verification that a substrate has been surface treated. 3DT sells these in packs of 10. Learn more.

Both dyne test solutions and dyne test pens are available from 3DT. See the menu to the left for additional information about test inks, test pens, and dyne level.

Quotation Request Form

Please fill out the form including as much information as you can to help our team understand your application. We will reply within one business day.

  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.
    Test Inks Case
    Test Pens

     

    To order a dyne test solution kit or dyne test pens telephone Missy at 262-253-6700, email her at 3DT@3DTLLC.com or use the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

    Read our blog article “What is Dyne Level?” for additional useful information.

    3DT’s surface treatment technology provides the highest dyne levels on the most resistant materials. Fill out the form below to learn more about how 3DT can improve adhesion for your application.

    Quotation Request Form

    Please fill out the form including as much information as you can to help our team understand your application. We will reply within one business day.

    • Drop files here or
      Max. file size: 50 MB.