Knowledge Center - The Sabreen Group, Inc.

The Sabreen Group’s Technical Library is a comprehensive resource of information pertaining to Secondary Plastics Manufacturing Processes, including the latest theoretical information and practical hands-on solutions to achieve state-of-the-art manufacturing.

Plasma Surface Pretreatments of Polymers for Improved Adhesion Bonding
Plasma surface pretreatments promote adhesion between difficult-to-bond plastics and adhesives, coatings, inks and paints. “Gas-phase” plasma surface (modification) oxidation is the most common method including electrical corona, remote-cold gas plasma, flame, Pyrosil deposition, and UV/ozone. Advancing and receding contact angles…
Flame Plasma - The Sabreen Group, Inc.

Thermoplastics are inherently hydrophobic, low surface energy substrates that do not adhere well to other like or dissimilar materials. Semicrystalline polymers are generally more difficult to bond (compared to amorphous) due to their ordered structure morphology, e.g., polyolefins, polyamides (nylons),…

Understanding the Science Behind Surface Pretreatments for Adhesion to Plastics – Adhesives, Coatings, and Inks

In this recorded webinar, you will gain a better understanding of the science behind surface pretreatment of different plastics and learn how to determine the best solutions for your adhesion challenges. Topics covered: Adhesion versus cohesion failure Why pretreatments are…

UV/Ozone Surface Pretreatment to Improve Adhesion of Polymers

Note from the author: Printing and adhesion problems on many polymers and rubbers are common throughout the industry. This is a result of the inherently low surface energy of polymers, among other factors. Surface oxidation processes can oxidize polymer surfaces,…

Cold Gas Plasma Surface Modification - Optimize Plastics Bonding Adhesion

Diagram 1. Chemical and physical cleaning, surface oxidation, and trace by-product volatiles. Polymeric and elastomeric substrates can be extremely challenging to achieve robust bonding adhesion strength to like or dissimilar materials. Bonding applications are not limited to only adhesives, but…

Methods for Adhesion Bonding of Polyphenylene Sulfide

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) is a high-temperature, semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic. Within the industry, PPS is known as THE plastic that performs like metal. Arguably, it’s one of the most challenging polymers to bond to itself or dissimilar materials, such as aluminum…

Dynamic Contact Angle (DCA) - The Sabreen Group, Inc.

Figure 1 Polymeric adhesion bonding problems are pervasive throughout the plastics industry. Two- and three-dimensional products often include bonding plastic-to-plastic, plastic-to-metal, plastic-to-composite, optomechanical, and more. Adhesion bonding applications are not limited to adhesives (epoxies, urethanes, acrylics, silicones, etc.), but include…

Gas-Phase Surface Pretreatments for Plastics Adhesion

From commodity to high-performance grades, semi-crystalline polymers are difficult to bond to themselves and dissimilar materials. To create strong molecular bonds necessary for adhesion, clean substrate surfaces (often in conjunction with pretreatment) are required. The selection of adhesive and proper…

Single-Pass UV LED Inkjet Printing on 3D Plastics - Ink Chemistry and Polymer Surfaces

Industrial inkjet printing is having a significant impact in decorating that has been traditionally done by conventional analog processes such as pad, screen and flexo/gravure printing. Inkjet technology has progressed from continuous single-color solvent inks to drop-on-demand full gamut colors,…

Answering Common Inkjet Printing Questions

Question: What is the difference between Continuous Inkjet and Drop-on-Demand Inkjet? One of the earliest inkjet technologies, dating back to the mid-1980s, is termed Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printing. At that time non-contact CIJ was used for general purpose printing of…

Innovating Inkjet Technologies for Plastic Products

The demand for digital inkjet printing on three-dimensional plastic products is increasing exponentially. Application challenges to achieving robust operations are the optimal ink chemistry-printhead design, compatibility between the ink and polymeric substrate and curing. This article discusses the important process…

Industrial Inkjet Printing Onto Wearables

The terms “wearables,” “wearable devices” and “wearable technology” all refer to electronic technologies or computers that can be worn by a consumer and often include tracking information related to health and fitness. Wristwear, headgear, glasses, armwear, legwear, footwear, skin patches,…

Advancements in Inkjet UV LED Curing Technology

Ink curing necessitates concentrated energy to be delivered to the curable ink. Photo courtesy of Phoseon Technology. Digital UV inkjet printing on three-dimensional plastic products is “ready for prime time.” Advancements in UV LED curing technology overcome many curing problems…

Surface Pretreatments and Custom Inks Advance Inkjet Printing of Plastics and Films

Digital printing technologies, such as inkjet and laser on plastics, offer monumental advantages for manufacturers compared to traditional analog methods, e.g., pad printing, hot stamping, screen printing, etc. Digital printing allows for full product customization, unique alphanumeric part identification, product…

Color Inkjet Printing and Laser Marking for Plastics

Digital printing technologies, such as inkjet and laser on plastics, offer monumental advantages for manufacturers compared to traditional analog methods, e.g., pad printing, hot stamping, screen printing, etc. Digital printing allows for full product customization, unique alphanumeric part identification, product…

Inkjet Printing and Adhesion of Low Surface Energy Polymers

Figure 1. Interdisciplinary fields of inkjet printing of polymers Long before the first ink drop is jetted onto a plastic product, designers make key decisions that predetermine whether ink printing will be easy or difficult. Adhesion is essentially a superficial…

Pulse Waveforms of Trumpf TruPulse Nano MOPA fiber laser

This is the first of a two-part series on the most significant technological developments in industrial laser marking of plastics. We’ll examine Ytterbium fiber laser architecture, how they work and the major performance factors that determine marking quality. Part 2…

Laser Marking of Glass-Filled Polymers – The Importance of Injection Molding Operations

Plastics laser marking offers numerous advantages across a wide range of industrial applications. Decorative and functional markings produced by the laser must be completely readable, such as component identification, schematics, data matrix and barcode. The quality of the marking depends…

SABREEN offers the following plastic laser marking solutions: Custom laser colormatch formulations, regulatory compliance, prototype samples Injection molding process optimization, dispersion/distribution, analytical testing Laser equipment systems design & integration, machine vision On-site problem-solving, laser process optimization, vectorized artwork/graphics Laser safety…

The Sabreen Group, Inc.

Industrial manufacturing requirements for indelible direct part marking containing machine vision codes are growing exponentially. Direct part marking enables tracking a product from the time of manufacturing until the end of its useful life. This demand is driven by the…

The Sabreen Group, Inc.

Advancements in direct laser marking of plastics yield unprecedented marking quality, contrast, and speed. With proper application, laser marking can provide numerous manufacturing advantages and bring value to a product’s appearance and function. The newest generation of plastics material science…

Photo A. Non-heavy metal FDA-approved additive produces jet black laser marking contrast on extruded medical grade PVC tubing.

Editor’s Note: In this Technology feature, Scott Sabreen tackles two topics related to fiber lasers: selection of the fiber laser type when marking plastics and improving marking contrast through the use of additives. Selecting a Fiber Laser for Marking Plastics…

Color Inkjet Printing and Laser Marking for Plastics

Digital printing technologies, such as inkjet and laser on plastics, offer monumental advantages for manufacturers compared to traditional analog methods, e.g., pad printing, hot stamping, screen printing, etc. Digital printing allows for full product customization, unique alphanumeric part identification, product…

Digital Printing Technologies for Plastics Focus on Color Inkjet and Laser Marking

Abstract Digital printing on plastics offers monumental advantages for manufacturers compared to traditional analog methods such as pad printing, hot stamping, screen printing, etc. Digital printing allows for full product customization, unique alphanumeric part identification, product security, serialization, barcode/2D codes,…

Dual-Purpose ‘Laser Additives’ Drive Marking and Welding of Polymers

Dual-purpose laser additives blended into polymers during primary processing allow for marking and transmission welding of clear and opaque polymers. Novel chemical additives, including those that are FDA-/medical-compliant, achieve high-strength hermetic seal weld joints and indelible opaque marking contrast. Laser…

Carbon Black Selection for Successful Through Transmission Laser Welding and Joining

Abstract Laser welding is used in a wide range of applications to join thermoplastics because it is a noncontact heating method with short cycle times and lower cost. For both surface heating and through transmission heating, carbon black is the…

SNOWLEOPARD® Technology - The Sabreen Group, Inc.

Counterfeiting threatens the world economy and public health through the production of inferior products that circumvent consumer protection regulatory channels. Among the biggest challenges in fighting counterfeit goods is the need to stay ahead of counterfeiters using new and more…

Application Uses of SNOWLEOPARD™

SNOWLEOPARD is a new, highly engineered covert optical security anti-counterfeiting authentication technology. Authentication by vapor mist reveals invisible codes and images without instruments. Invisible security codes are indelibly inscribed submicron directly onto substrate materials. Substrates include plastics, thin-polymer films, glass,…

Authentication by Vapor Mist - SNOWLEOPARD™

SNOWLEOPARD is a new, highly engineered covert optical security anti-counterfeiting authentication technology. Authentication by vapor mist reveals invisible codes and images without instruments. Invisible security codes are indelibly inscribed submicron directly onto substrate materials. Substrates include plastics, thin-polymer films, glass,…

Brand Protection - SNOWLEOPARD™

SNOWLEOPARD is a new, highly engineered covert optical security anti-counterfeiting authentication technology. Invisible security codes are indelibly inscribed submicron directly onto substrate materials. Substrates include plastics, thin-polymer films, glass, composites, metals and can be any color, transparent, translucent, or opaque….

Innovations in Plastics Products Security: Anticounterfeiting Technologies

Counterfeiting is a worldwide epidemic. It threatens the global economy and public health through the production of inferior products that circumvent consumer protection regulatory channels. Spending by the public and corporations is increased to counter the illegal trade, and prices…

Brand Protection for Plastics Molders: New Strategies for Anti-Counterfeit Security

Counterfeiting is a worldwide epidemic. Many plastic goods are manufactured in a different region than they are consumed. Products often go through multiple distributors, and it’s difficult to follow the entire lifecycle. Today’s counterfeiters use the same advanced digital and…

Brand Protection Introduction to SNOWLEOPARD

SNOWLEOPARD covert optical product security, anti-counterfeit technology solution and brand protection by The Sabreen Group. Authentication by vapor mist. Invisible, indelible security codes are inscribed submicron directly onto plastics, packaging, polymer films, wafer seals, labels & glass. No consumables and…

Breakthrough Anti-Counterfeit Technology for Plastics Products

Abstract The Global Brand Counterfeiting Report 2018 states the amount of total counterfeiting globally has reached $1.2 trillion in 2017 and is bound to reach $1.82 trillion by the year 2020, which includes counterfeiting of all equipment and products from…

Techniques for Measuring Adhesion and Abrasion Durability of Coatings and Inks - Part 2
Adhesion and abrasion resistance of cured adhesives, coatings, and inks are important performance characteristics. These are discrete properties that are frequently misdiagnosed during failure mode analysis. These properties can be interdependent, but they are usually mutually exclusive. That is, cured…
Techniques for Measuring Adhesion and Abrasion Durability of Coatings and Inks - Part 1
Adhesion and abrasion resistance of cured adhesives, coatings, and inks are important performance characteristics. These are discrete properties that are frequently misdiagnosed during failure mode analysis. These properties can be interdependent, but they are usually mutually exclusive. That is, cured…
Advanced Technologies for Decorating Polyethylene

Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely utilized polymers and is classified by its density and branching. The type of PE has a significant impact on the ease or difficulty of secondary operations. The most common types are LDPE,…

Industrial Liquid Coating of Polyolefin Products – Interior and Exterior Applications

industrial coating of plastics is a cornerstone process for decorating, finishing, and mass customization. Liquid coatings are highly versatile allowing for infinite functional and aesthetic possibilities Coatings add value and are cost-effective and eco-friendly. Coating processes are multifaceted and require…

Preparing Plastics for Painting

The processes used to apply most liquid paints to plastics are not much different than those employed for painting metals, although powdercoating is still quite unusual on plastics. Additionally, certain specific painting methods widely used on metals, such as chemical…

Best Practices for Bonding Semi-Crystalline Thermoplastics

From commodity to high-performance grades, semi-crystalline polymers are difficult to bond to themselves and dissimilar materials. To create strong molecular bonds necessary for adhesion, clean substrate surfaces (often in conjunction with pretreatment) are required. The selection of adhesive and proper…

No more articles found