Dyne Test Inks to ISO 8296

About Dyne Test Inks to ISO 8296

Dyne test inks and surface energy measurement
For reliable printing, bonding, or coating, a substrate must have sufficient surface energy to allow the applied material to wet out properly. If surface energy is too low, inks, adhesives, and coatings will bead, spread poorly, or fail prematurely. Surface energy can be assessed either by contact angle measurement or by using surface energy test liquids or pens, commonly known as Dyne test inks or Dyne test fluids or Corona test fluids. We also provide Dyne Test Pens.

Dyne testing inks or fluids provide a fast, practical way to assess surface wettability and wetting tension. The method is based on ISO 8296, which describes the measurement of surface energy on polyethylene film, and it is widely applied across many other materials in real manufacturing environments.

Low surface energy is particularly common in polymer based substrates and is a frequent cause of adhesion problems. In these cases, surface treatment using plasma or corona discharge is often used to raise surface energy to a level just above that of the ink, adhesive, or coating being applied. When this condition is met, wetting improves and adhesion becomes far more predictable.

Dyne testing on metals and surface cleanliness
While Dyne testing is often associated with plastics and films, many of our customers use our Dyne test inks to assess metal surfaces as well. Metals inherently have very high surface energy. In practice, adhesion failures on metals are rarely due to the metal itself and far more often caused by surface contamination such as oils, release agents, machining fluids, or handling residues. These contaminants dramatically reduce effective surface energy.

Dyne testing is therefore a useful indicator of surface cleanliness on metals. A higher Dyne level (measured in mJ/m², mN/m, or dyne/cm – often known as “Dynes”) generally indicates a cleaner surface with fewer low energy contaminants present. This makes Dyne test fluids a valuable quick check before bonding, coating, or further processing, particularly where cleaning effectiveness needs to be verified.

How to use Dyne test inks

Apply a line of Dyne test ink to the surface using a cotton applicator swab (recommended) or brush
If the fluid remains as a continuous film for at least three seconds, the surface has a minimum surface energy equal to the Dyne value of that fluid
If the fluid retracts into droplets in less than one second, the surface energy of the substrate is lower than the Dyne value of the fluid
To determine surface energy more precisely, repeat the test using a sequence of Dyne test inks with higher or lower values until the transition between wetting and beading is identified

This simple method provides rapid, actionable insight into surface condition, helping to reduce variability and improve adhesion reliability in production.

Availability
We offer two formulation types: a standard “ISO” type which has purple fluid, and a non-toxic type which has yellow fluid. The test inks can be purchased as individual bottles or in selection kits. The inks have an expected lifetime of 12 months.

ISO type Purple colour Supplied in 20ml bottles with integral brush applicator Contains formamide, ethoxyethanol & dye Not suitable for use on soft PVC
Non-Toxic type Yellow colour Supplied in 20ml bottles with integral brush applicator Contains ethanol Not suitable for use on PP

Cotton applicator swabs
Made to conform with test method ISO 8296 for use with the Dyne test inks. The cotton swabs have a 150mm long shaft to ensure your hand is kept well away from the test fluid and the substrate to be tested. The cotton applicator swabs are binder free and adhesive free which ensure the binder or adhesive cannot contaminate the test fluid or invalidate the test results.

Ensure that no contamination is introduced into the Dyne test ink from the surface being tested by using a single use cotton applicator swab. Small amounts of introduced contamination may lead to inaccurate and invalid Dyne level readings.

Features & Benefits

Instant results (within three seconds)
Very wide range of Dyne levels available
The use of bottled fluid and single-use cotton applicator swabs avoids cross-contamination
Can be used on a wide variety of substrates

All Downloads

Filename	Size	Download
ISO Type Dyne Inks 23-27 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.23MB
ISO Type Dyne Inks 30-33 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.22MB
ISO Type Dyne Inks 34-57 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.19MB
ISO Type Dyne Inks 58-73 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.17MB
Non-Toxic Type Dyne Inks 22-24 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.20MB
Non-Toxic Type Dyne Inks 26-44 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.22MB
Non-Toxic Type Dyne Inks 46-73 Dynes Safety Data Sheet	0.14MB
Dyne Inks Product Data Sheet	0.07MB

Ordering Information

Test Kits

ISO Type Dyne Test Inks – purple

Part Number	Test Kit Name	Description	Dyne Values
DYTQASETA-20ML	QA Set for Production & Quality Engineers	Kit of 12 ISO Type bottles in black foam filled carrying case, supplied with 1 pack of 100 cotton applicator swabs and 1 pair of disposable Nitrile gloves	30, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 & 72mN/m
DYTSETA-20ML	Standard Set for every day use	Kit of 9 ISO Type bottles in black foam filled carrying case	32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 & 72mN/m
DYTVALSETA-20ML	Value Set to meet your basic needs	Kit of 6 ISO Type bottles in black foam filled carrying case	36, 40, 44, 48, 52 & 56mN/m

Non-Toxic Type Dyne Test Inks – yellow

Part Number	Test Kit Name	Description	Dyne Values
DYTQASETB-20ML	QA Set for Production & Quality Engineers	Kit of 12 Non-Toxic Type bottles in black foam filled carrying case, supplied with 1 pack of 100 cotton applicator swabs and 1 pair of disposable Nitrile gloves	30, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 & 72mN/m
DYTSETB-20ML	Standard Set for every day use	Kit of 9 Non-Toxic Type bottles in black foam filled carrying case	32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 & 72mN/m
DYTVALSETB-20ML	Value Set to meet your basic needs	Kit of 6 Non-Toxic Type bottles in black foam filled carrying case	36, 40, 44, 48, 52 & 56mN/m

Individual Ink Bottles