Flexographic Aqueous Latex Barrier Coating Viscosity Measurement Fundamentals
Flexographic aqueous latex barrier coating viscosity requires multi-shear rotational measurement to ensure accurate anilox transfer and barrier film continuity.
Non-Volatile Content
Solid Residue
The proportion of a coating, adhesive, or ink that remains behind as a functional layer after all liquid carriers and solvents have been evaporated is a fundamental material property. Formulators measure non-volatile content to determine the actual yield and dry thickness of a coating applied to paperboard. It is the solid portion that remains active, performing the required barrier, binding, or protective functions on the packaging.
Laboratory Determination
This value is established by weighing a wet sample, heating it in a ventilated oven at a specified temperature until it reaches a constant weight, and calculating the remaining mass percentage. The drying temperature and duration must be carefully controlled to prevent the degradation of heat-sensitive polymers while ensuring complete solvent removal. Higher solid percentages reduce the energy required for drying, as there is less water or solvent to remove in the oven.
This metric helps converters calculate dry coat weights from wet application rates on the production line.
Economic Calculation
Purchasing coatings based on dry material yield rather than wet volume prevents inaccurate cost comparisons between different suppliers. A cheaper formulation with a low percentage of solids requires more wet volume to achieve the same dry barrier thickness, which increases transport and drying costs. This measure of solid material is therefore a primary factor in both quality control and raw material procurement.