How to use Dyne Pens
Top 10 Tips From our Expert
Before you begin:
- Read the safety data sheet (SDS) and wear appropriate PPE.
- Adopt a standardised test procedure. Using the same procedure each time will give you consistent results.
- Never use pens that are out of date or where the tip has been contaminated.
- Always store your test pens at room temperature.
- Always conduct your tests in a clean and level test area.
- Make sure that the ink in the test pens does not adversely react with the material being tested or soaks into the material and causes the material to swell. If possible, initially test on a piece of scrap substrate.
- Always conduct your tests at room temperature and never in a very humid environment.
- Always test in at least three different locations of the material substrate sample.
- Do not touch the area to be tested with your bare fingers.
- Test in a clean area of the material and never re-test in the same area.
Four easy steps for measurement:
- Choose a Dyne pen that you believe will be lower than the test sample.
- Press the pen tip firmly onto the sample until the tip is saturated with test fluid.
- Lightly draw the pen over the surface in 3 parallel passes each about 100mm long, disregard the first 2 passes as they are used to flush the pen tip. Evaluate only the 3rd pass.
- If the ink remains wetted out on the sample for 3 seconds or more then repeat steps 2 and 3 with the next higher Dyne level pen. If the last ink swathe beads up within 1 second or less repeat steps 2 and 3 with the next lower value of Dyne pen. If the ink swath holds for between 1 and 3 seconds before losing its integrity, then the Dyne level of that pen is close to the value of the material.
Downloads
| Material | Typical Surface Energy |
|---|---|
| PTFE | <20 mN/m(Dyne) |
| PP | 30/32 mN/m(Dyne) |
| PE | 29/34 mN/m(Dyne) |
| PS | 34/38 mN/m(Dyne) |
| PC | 34/38 mN/m(Dyne) |
| ABS | 34/38 mN/m(Dyne) |
| Ink/Coating/Adhesive | Required Surface Energy |
|---|---|
| Solvent based inks | 38/46 mN/m(Dyne) |
| Water based ink | 50/56 mN/m(Dyne) |
| UV based ink | 44/50 mN/m(Dyne) |
| UV adhesives | 44/50 mN/m(Dyne) |
| Water based adhesives | 48/56 mN/m(Dyne) |
| Coatings | 48/56 mN/m(Dyne) |
Speak to the Dyne Testing team…
Do you want to find out more about Dyne Test pens? You can contact our experts by calling us on
+44(0) 1543 411 460 or emailing us at [email protected].
The information supplied throughout this site is designed only as guidance for the safe use, storage and handling of the product. This information is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the date of publication however no guarantee is made to its accuracy. This information relates only to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other materials or in any other process.