Lotar LLC specializes in products for surface tension testing, including QUICKTEST 38®S pens, RAPIDTEST 38® pens, PINK testing pens and inks, GREEN organic testing pens and inks, and BLUE testing pens and inks. These products evaluate wettability, surface energy, metal cleanliness, and the performance of surface treatments applied to plastics and metals.

Surface tension testing determines if a surface is prepared adequately for printing, painting, gluing, coating, or other adhesion processes. Surfaces with higher energy levels typically achieve better adhesion of inks, adhesives, and coatings.

These pens deliver fast and permanent results indicating whether a surface has reached approximately 38 dynes/cm of surface tension, the standard target for treated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) materials. They are intended for routine production testing applications.

BLUE inks use formamide-based testing solutions and measure surface tension across a broad range of values. PINK and GREEN organic test inks and pens were formulated as non-poisonous alternatives and are preferred in work environments prioritizing safer testing methods.

Industries that use Lotar products include plastics, printing, coating, adhesive, packaging, textile, and metal-processing sectors where surface energy and cleanliness directly impact product quality and adhesion performance.

Untreated polyethylene and polypropylene surfaces generally exhibit surface tensions near 30 dynes/cm. For effective printing and adhesion, treated surfaces should reach approximately 38 to 41 dynes/cm.

Yes. Lotar testing inks applied with specific clean swabs evaluate metal surface cleanliness and confirm whether cleaning processes have adequately prepared the surface for subsequent processing, coating, or bonding operations.

Apply the test ink or pen to the surface in a continuous stroke. If the line stays intact during the specified observation time (typically 2 seconds for most inks and pens, or 4 seconds for PINK 28 to 44 dyne levels), the surface energy equals or exceeds the test value.

Testing inks include components that evaporate with time. Pens must be capped immediately following use and bottles should be sealed tightly to preserve accuracy and extend shelf life.

Lotar LLC has provided solutions to the surface testing market for nearly 40 years, developing specialized products that measure surface tension and cleanliness across numerous industries and applications.