Apolar

In labeling and marking technology, the term Apolar describes materials with low surface energy, to which conventional adhesives adhere poorly. These include plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PTFE (Teflon), or silicone, which are found in many industrial applications. Due to weak molecular interactions, the labeling of apolar surfaces requires special high-performance adhesives, mostly based on modified acrylates or rubber formulations. A pre-treatment using corona, plasma, or flame technology can increase the surface energy and improve adhesion. Especially in the automotive, chemical, and packaging industries, labels with optimized adhesive systems are required to ensure permanent marking. Testing methods such as contact angle measurement or test inks help to determine the surface energy and thus the adhesiveness. Without suitable adjustments, labels on apolar materials can easily detach or not adhere reliably, which can be problematic in safety-critical applications.