EN 15386:2007 – Packaging – Flexible laminate and plastic tubes – Test method to determine the print adhesion
1 Scope
This standard specifies a method for the determination of the print adhesion on flexible laminate and plastic tubes.
It is applicable to flexible laminate and plastic tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other household products.
2 Principle
The adhesive tape test serves to gauge the adhesion properties of printing ink films on flexible laminate and plastic tubes.
The printing ink film is tested by rapidly tearing-off a previously applied adhesive tape. After the tape has been torn off, the divided surfaces are judged by pre-established criteria.
3 Apparatus
An adhesive tape of commercial quality equipped with an upper surface made of tear-proof plastic and a pressure sensitive adhesive coating, of which the adhesive power is: minimum 5 N/25 mm and maximum 7 N/25 mm, tested according to Annex A against a glass testing surface.
4 Procedure
Place the printed sample on an even surface. Apply the adhesive tape on the sample and press it on manually across the length of the decoration. It is important that there is full contact with the surface over the whole area and that no air bubbles remain between adhesive tape and sample surface.
Approximately 10 s to 30 s after pressing-on, manually tear off the free end of the adhesive tape in one go from the surface at an angle of about 150 °. Examine the divided surfaces (printing surface and reverse side of the adhesive tape).
Analyse the divided surfaces according to Table 1.
5 Test report
If not otherwise agreed between supplier and customer the test report shall contain the following information:
a) Reference to this standard and if necessary a specification for the method of sampling and acceptance of the batch,
b) Complete identification of the batch and of the tubes checked,
c) Date of printing,
d) Number of tubes checked,
e) Number of defects,
f) Test result,
g) All factors which could have affected the results or all operating details not specified in this standard,
h) Date, place of test and name of tester.
EN 15386:2007 – Packaging – Flexible laminate and plastic tubes – Test method to determine the print adhesion