There are currently 59 definitions in this directory
A
Adhesion Promoter (Chemical)
A chemical adhesion promoter (also known as a primer) is a thin layer of polymer that modifies the surface of a substrate to improve and enhance bonding to another surface or coating.
Alkali Resistance
The ability of substance (primer/coating) to resist reaction to alkaline materials (High pH)
ASTM D6400 Standard
The Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities
B
Bio-based or Bio-engineered
products that mainly consist of a substance (or substances) derived from living matter; an example would be PLA, a biobased plastic
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
BPI is a science-driven organization that supports a shift to the circular economy by promoting the production, use, and appropriate end of lives for materials and products that are designed to fully biodegrade in specific biologically active environments.
C
Chemical Containment
See chemical resistance. Chemical containment is only possible with chemical resistance.
Chemical Resistance
The ability of a substance to endure itself from chemical attack for a specific period.
Coating
MICA coatings are discrete layers coated onto a substrate that provide properties such as scuff or scratch resistance, color, gloss, soft-touch, barrier, or adhesion. They may exist on the surface of the structure but may also be buried in a structure. In the case they are buried in a structure, they adhere by sealing to themselves or another material.
Coefficient of Friction (COF)
the measure of slip between two surfaces; can be face-to-face or adhesive to stainless steel.
Commercially Compostable
If a material is labeled as commercially compostable, it means it can biodegrade in a controlled environment, such as a municipal or industrial composting facility.
Crosslinker
a molecule that helps to connect polymer chains. Crosslinkers can be added to some MICA products to improve performance or specific properties, such as water resistance.
D
Dispersion
a system in which distributed particles of one material are dispersed in a continuous phase of another material
Doctor Blade (open or enclosed)
The doctor blade is a mechanical device that meters the coating by removing excess liquid from the cylinder. When open, the doctor blade could be adjusted, removed, or installed.
Drying Oven (AKA Drying Chamber)
A drying oven or chamber is a vital piece of equipment when working with water-based products because it can ensure the primer is completely dry, thus, providing optimal bond strengths and overall results.
E
Emulsion
a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (unmixable). Emulsions are part of a more general class of two-phase systems of matter called colloids.
Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA)
a copolymer that binds well to metal, aluminum foil, and other polar surfaces
Extruded Ethylene Copolymers
can include Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Ethylene Ethyl Acrylate (EEA), or Ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA)
Extrusion Coating
extrusion coating one liquid coating onto a substrate to create a multilayer structure.
Extrusion Die
equipment used to form a melt curtain as part of the extrusion lamination or extrusion coating process
Extrusion Lamination
two solid substrates married together by hot extruded resin to create a multilayer structure
F
Face-to Face Sealing (Self-Sealing)
if a product is face-to-face or self-sealing, it means it can seal to itself
G
H
Heat Sealable Coating
heat-activated, water-based coatings designed to be used as sealing layers for paper, film, foil, and other container materials
I
M
Melt Temperature
temperature which solid and liquid forms of substance (resins) can exist in equilibrium
Metalized film
polymer film that’s been coated with a layer of aluminum (or other metal). Metalizing film gives it a metallic, mirror finish and improves barrier properties.
Moisture resistance
products that have moisture resistance can provide protection against humidity (water in gaseous form)
N
O
Out-of-line (offline) Priming
when a primer or coating is applied before the extrusion process is complete, sometimes on a printing press
Ozone
A molecule made up of three oxygen atoms and is often used to oxidize the extrusion melt during extrusion laminations to improve adhesion
P
Polyethylene (PE, LDPE, LLDPE, BOPE)
plastic, made from ethylene monomers
LDPE = Low Density Polyethylene = PE with density range 0.910 -0.940 gram/cm3
LLDPE = Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (metallocene) with density 0.915-0.925 gr/cm3, has higher tensile strength, impact, and puncture resistance than LDPE
BOPE = Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene = process where PE film is made by means of tenter frame to achieve certain properties.
LDPE = Low Density Polyethylene = PE with density range 0.910 -0.940 gram/cm3
LLDPE = Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (metallocene) with density 0.915-0.925 gr/cm3, has higher tensile strength, impact, and puncture resistance than LDPE
BOPE = Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene = process where PE film is made by means of tenter frame to achieve certain properties.
Polyethyleneimine (PEI)
a polymer that binds well to polyolefins, paper, and inks, and other coatings
Polypropylene (PP)
a non-polar thermoplastic polyolefin used in the manufacture of a variety of applications, including multilayer flexible packaging
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH)
a water-soluble, odorless, colorless synthetic polymer that offers oxygen barrier properties
Pre-metallization
often refers to a coating that is applied to a substrate to improve the adhesion of vapor-deposited metal to that substrate.
Pre-Print Primer
a primer that is applied prior to laying down ink to improve ink adhesion and/or print quality
Primer (Chemical)
Chemical primers are discrete layers coated onto a substrate that promote adhesion to a fluid coating. They may add product resistance or other properties as well. They are typically buried in a structure. All MICA primers are chemical primers.
S
Seal/Peel Modifier
a polymer added to a heat seal formulation to reduce adhesion and allow the seal to be removed (peel) from the bonded surface
Surface Modification
the process of changing a surface to improve the function of a surface for a specific purpose
T
Tie Layer
an adhesive polymer used to bind different polymer layers for a specific purpose (e.g. lower O2 and Vapor permeability, reduce cost, improve mechanical properties, etc.)
Treatment (Corona Discharge, Flame or Ozone)
Treating the surfaces of paper, film, and foil can add polarity to improve the surface energy for adhesion to another material.
U
Urethane (PU)
a name given to a class of NCO (isocyanate) terminated resins with crosslinking or chain extension intermediates
V
Vinyl Acetate Ethylene (VAE) Copolymer
copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate often used as an adhesive
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)
gases produced from processes or products that are emitted into the air or dissolved in water. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short or long-term negative health effects. Most of Mica’s products are VOC-free.
W
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