Theses and Dissertations
Advisor
Kundu, Santanu
Committee Member
Toghiani, Hossein
Committee Member
Walters, Keisha
Committee Member
Rai, Neeraj
Date of Degree
8-7-2025
Original embargo terms
Embargo 2 years
Document Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Major
Engineering (Chemical Engineering)
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
James Worth Bagley College of Engineering
Department
Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Flexible packaging articles typically use polyolefins as external skin materials due to their resistance to abuse, durability, flexibility, corrosion resistance, cost-effectiveness, and ease of processing. A hydrophobic, nonpolar polyolefin film surface is not readily receptive to the water-based ink utilized in digital printing systems. Due to their inherent chemical structure, polyolefin materials cannot form strong bonds with ink, varnish, or lacquer coatings. Because of these challenges, converters have historically relied on targeted surface preparation and solvent-based ink systems for printing on packaging films, as these ink systems adhere better to polymer surfaces. Digital printing, also known as inkjet printing, utilizes water-based ink systems and has been promoted as the future of packaging graphics across the industry due to numerous advantages, including sustainability and reduced exposure to volatile organic compounds found in solvent-based inks. However, the challenges of print durability and incompatibility with polymer substrates are difficult to overcome using traditional surface preparation methods. Therefore, most literature focusing on improved adhesion between water-based ink and polymer film surfaces has concentrated on ink composition. Limited research has been conducted to modify the polymers and their surface characteristics while maintaining a constant ink composition. By altering the surface of the packaging film, it could become more receptive to water-based ink systems, potentially transforming the digital printing landscape for sustainable solutions in the packaging industry. This research focuses on understanding the factors that dictate the successful ink adhesion. Polymer types, treatment levels, additives, and their combinations were examined. Results indicate that surface chemistry and morphology influence the degree of ink adhesion to a greater extent than the sole surface free energy guideline widely used in the industry. A mechanism for consistent ink durability was determined. This research culminates in applying the research outcomes and utilizing industry knowledge and experience to determine a film surface that not only generates improved adhesion of water-based inks to the surface of a packaging article but is also deployable in an industrial-scale supply chain process for the production of packaging articles.
Sponsorship (Optional)
Funding Sponsor: Sealed Air Corporation
Recommended Citation
Wynne, Ashley Cornell, "Investigation of water-based ink printing on exterior surfaces of flexible packaging articles" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 6724.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6724
