How To Determine if SMT Stencil Nano-Coatings Like NanoClear® is Still Effective?
We often get asked how to determine if NanoClear® SMT stencil nano-coatings are still effective? In this technical bulletin we will cover the various tools available to determine efficacy of NanoClear SMT stencil nanocoating on your surface.
Technical Bulletin Series
How to test for NanoClear® SMT Stencil Nano-Coating?
Most users report 10-25k prints per application of NanoClear®. NanoClear® is an extremely thin, invisible coating so the question often comes up howcan the efficacy of the coating be confirmed both after application and after the stencil is in use? See below for the various methods of confirmation.
On the Production Floor
NanoClear®, Use a test pen provided by Aculon or a dyne fluuid of 30 dynes/cm. The fluid will wet to untreated surfaces and bead up on treated surfaces, as shown in the photo at right.
In the absence of a test pen, a "Sharpie" felt tip marker will also provide a less precise indication of coating presence.
In the Laboratory
Oil Contact Angle (OCA) or Water Contact Angle (WCA) is a quantitative measurement of surface repellency. They are measured using a goniometer.
- Lower angles, or more spread, indicate lower repellency
- Higher angles, or less spread, indicate higher repellency
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