Pillar Sherman Test Pens & Inks

The Pillar Sherman Test Pen 38 is a Go/No-Go test pen designed to measure a 38 dyne/cm surface tension level. It is used to verify whether the surface treatment of polyolefins, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polybutylene (PB), has effectively increased the material's surface energy.

When applied to the surface, the pen leaves a continuous line if the material's surface tension is 38 dyne/cm or higher. If the surface tension is below 38 dyne/cm, the test fluid beads up and forms small droplets instead of a uniform line.

The applied fluid dries within seconds and does not need to be wiped off, allowing for easy result evaluation and documentation.

Extremely easy to use
Ideal for quick surface tension checks on polyolefins
No wiping required after testing
Permanent visual indication of results
Suitable for image capture and record-keeping
Excellent readability due to the distinctive red color change

Specifications:

Stroke width: 5 mm
Content: 5 ml

Industries and Applications We Support

Since 1989, Lotar LLC has provided trusted surface energy and surface tension testing solutions for manufacturers and quality control professionals across North America and Mexico. As the original test ink and test pen manufacturer, our family- and woman-owned business brings 38 years of industry experience to customers who depend on precision, consistency, and reliable testing results.

We supply quality test inks and test pens with values ranging from 18.4 to 105 dynes/cm to support a wide variety of surface testing applications, including:

Metal cleanliness testing
Plastic surface testing
Printing and adhesion testing
Surface tension and surface energy measurement
Quality control and process verification
Coating, painting, gluing, and bonding preparation
Textile and substrate testing

Our products help customers evaluate surface readiness, identify contamination issues, verify cleaning and treatment processes, and improve adhesion performance across a range of industrial and manufacturing environments, including the medical, packaging, and automotive industries. Every product is backed by our 6-month pen shelf-life guarantee and 6-month ink shelf-life guarantee, giving customers confidence in the accuracy and reliability of their testing materials.

Whether you need testing products for metals, plastics, textiles, or other substrates, Lotar is committed to delivering quality products and exceptional service. Request a free quote today and receive expert recommendations within three days to help you find the right solution for your application.