Surface Treatment Methods

Lotar LLC

Surface Treatment Methods for Improved Adhesion

At Lotar LLC, we help manufacturers improve surface energy and adhesion performance through reliable testing solutions and industry-recognized test inks and test pens. Proper surface treatment is often necessary to remove contaminants and prepare materials for printing, painting, coating, gluing, and other downstream processes.


Common contaminants that can reduce surface energy and negatively affect adhesion include:

  • Oils
  • Dust
  • Fingerprints
  • Lubricants
  • Release agents
  • Antistatic agents


Surface treatment methods vary based on the material being processed:


For Plastics

  • Water-based cleaning
  • Solvent cleaning
  • Surface pre-treatments
  • Additional activation processes to improve wettability and adhesion


For Metals

  • Corona treatment
  • Plasma treatment
  • Flame treatment
  • Pre-cleaning with aqueous cleaners or brushes before treatment


These methods help increase surface energy and improve a material's ability to bond with inks, paints, coatings, and adhesives. Untreated metal surfaces typically measure between 25 and 35 mN/m, while many untreated plastic surfaces measure below 38 mN/m. In many manufacturing applications, a minimum value of 38 dynes/cm is considered the cleanliness benchmark, while 44 dynes/cm is often the target surface energy level for reliable processing and adhesion performance.


Using test inks and test pens, manufacturers can verify whether cleaning and treatment methods have achieved the desired results. A smooth, continuous film indicates the surface has reached the specified dyne level, while beading or poor wetting may signal contamination or insufficient treatment.


By helping manufacturers assess surface cleanliness and surface energy, Lotar supports consistent quality control and improved adhesion across a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and ceramics.


Ready to verify the effectiveness of your surface treatment process? Contact Lotar today for expert guidance, premium test inks and pens, and a free quote within three days.