ASTM D5946-24 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Corona‑Treated Polymer Films Using Water Contact Angle Measurements — a short ASTM test method (designation D5946‑24) that specifies measurement of the static water contact angle on corona‑treated polymer film surfaces to assess surface wettability and infer suitability for inks, coatings and adhesives.

Abstract

This standard (D5946‑24) provides a procedure for measuring the contact angle of water droplets placed on corona‑treated polymer film surfaces as an indirect indicator of surface energy and treatment level. Results are expressed as a static water contact angle (degrees) and may be interpreted using guidance ranges to classify treatment from marginal to very high; the standard is identical in content to ISO 15989. Intended uses include production control and evaluation of surface treatment effectiveness for film substrates used in printing, coating and adhesive bonding applications.

General information

• Status: Active (current ASTM edition D5946‑24).
• Publication date: 2024 (designated D5946‑24; published as the 2024 edition).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 83.020 (manufacturing processes in the rubber and plastics industries; film and sheet surface treatment/testing).
• Edition / version: D5946‑24 (revises D5946‑17).
• Number of pages: 7.

Scope

This test method covers the measurement of the static contact angle of water droplets on corona‑treated polymer film surfaces and provides guidance for interpreting contact angle ranges as a practical indicator of treatment level (for example: marginal/no treatment >90°; low 85–90°; medium 78–84°; high 71–77°; very high <71°). It is intended for quality control, process monitoring and material characterization where surface wettability relates to downstream ink, coating, or adhesive performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement of static water contact angle on film specimens using a goniometer or equivalent optical system.
• Specimen preparation and geometric/positional controls to ensure repeatable droplet placement and imaging.
• Multiple measurements across a web or sheet to account for surface non‑uniformity and process variability.
• Interpretation guidance mapping water contact angle ranges to practical treatment levels for many low‑energy polymer films.
• Notes on limitations: contact angle is an indirect measure and does not fully replace adhesion testing for inks/coatings/adhesives.

Typical use and users

Primary users include film extruders and converters, quality control and R&D laboratories, printers, laminators and adhesive/coating formulators who need a fast, objective check of corona or other surface treatments on polymer films (PE, PP, PET and similar). The method is commonly used for production acceptance, incoming inspection and investigative comparison of treatment processes or equipment.

Related standards

This ASTM test method is identical to ISO 15989 and revises the previous ASTM edition D5946‑17. It should be used alongside application‑specific adhesion or printability tests when final performance validation is required. Other ASTM and ISO surface‑energy/contact‑angle and adhesion test methods may be referenced for complementary measurements.

Keywords

contact angle, water contact angle (WCA), corona treatment, polymer film, surface treatment, goniometer, wetting tension, surface energy, printability, adhesion.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D5946‑24 is a standardized test method that defines how to measure the static water contact angle on corona‑treated polymer films to assess surface wettability and relative treatment level.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen handling, droplet deposition and optical contact‑angle measurement procedures, guidance for multiple measurements to address variability, and interpretation ranges for classifying treatment level; it does not replace full adhesion or functional performance tests.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Film manufacturers, converters, printers, laminators, adhesive/coating formulators, and QC/R&D labs that need a reproducible method to monitor surface treatment (especially corona treatment) for downstream coating/printing/lamination processes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D5946‑24 edition is the current active ASTM edition (designation year 2024) and supersedes D5946‑17. Users should confirm current status before purchase/quotation as standards can be amended; ASTM and authorized distributors list the active edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D5946 belongs to the ASTM D20 committee area covering plastics (subcommittee D20.19 for film and sheet). It is one of several ASTM methods addressing film surface properties and is explicitly noted as identical to ISO 15989 for international alignment.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Contact angle, corona treatment, polymer film, water contact angle, goniometer, surface energy, wetting tension, printability, adhesion.