Matt Lamination Cracking at the Crease against Gloss That Survives
Matt lamination cracks at the crease because silica matting inclusions reduce film elongation capacity, requiring expanded matrix channels to lower folding strain.
Cross-Hatch Test
Adhesion Assessment
Standardized testing determines the resistance of coatings or inks to separation from a substrate when a lattice pattern is cut into the surface. The cross-hatch test involves making two sets of parallel cuts at right angles to each other to create a grid of small squares. This method evaluates the strength of the bond between the ink and the paper or film.
It is particularly relevant for UV cured inks on non porous packaging materials.
Operational Methodology
Operators use a multi blade cutter or a single blade to score the coating down to the base material. After the grid is cut, a specific pressure sensitive tape is applied to the area and then pulled away at a steady angle. The amount of coating removed or the jaggedness of the edges of the cuts provides the score.
Results are typically graded on a scale from zero to five where zero indicates perfectly smooth edges with no loss. Higher numbers indicate heavy flaking or total delamination of the squares from the board. This procedure provides a repeatable way to verify ink adhesion on a production floor.
Performance Boundary
Environmental conditions like humidity can alter the results of the test. Coatings that pass in a dry warehouse might fail after exposure to the moisture of a chilled distribution chain.