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Importance of optical properties
December 17, 2007
We have discussed some of the principle sources of substrate optical properties, and in particular haze. So why should we be concerned with these film optical properties? Well in some cases we may not need to be concerned as the relative importance of any of these properties will rightly depend on the applications in which the substrate will be used. Surface haze is very important for printing and metallization if we desire bright, glossy metal appearance or excellent printing. Internal haze is important if we intend to reverse print and view the printing through the film. However, it is hard to imagine why internal haze would be important for a metallized film as it will be opaque.
However, if we want a matte or paper like appearance to a polymer film then surface haze is an important feature to add to the substrate, either on the printing surface or the surface through which the ink will be viewed. In this instance a smooth, high gloss printing surface combined with a rough, matte viewing surface may be the best combination to give paper like appearance to polymer substrates. Internal haze could also help give a flatter appearance but if it is combined with a smooth surface might not look so much like paper. To some degree what appears “paper like” is somewhat a matter of taste to the target market. Much as with color tinting and what “white” is, cold with a blue tint or warm with a reddish tint. As we expand on various substrate manufacturing methods we will comment on the impact that the manufacturing methods have on the optical properties as well as other surface and bulk properties.
Posted by Eldridge M. Mount on December 17, 2007 | Comments (0)