Solvent retention in a laminate
Retained solvent is dryer output left in the web. It smells, it blocks, and it ruins a seal. More nip heat will not drive it out after the web is already laminated.
Checks
- Smell a fresh slit roll in a cool room. A sweet or sharp smell is a reason to test retention before you ship.
- Slow the press or raise dryer air before the laminator nip. Solvent trapped between two films stays there.
- Heavy ink coverage holds more solvent than a light type area. Test a solid, not only the clear web.
- Blocking or a bad seal on an otherwise dry-looking roll is often retained solvent, not the adhesive.
Materials in the directory
Compare flexo inks, gravure inks, solvent-based inks.