The abrasion resistance of adhesive tape printing inks directly impacts the durability and clarity of labeling during transportation. This is particularly true in complex environments subject to multiple transfers, mechanical friction, and environmental corrosion. Its performance directly determines the accuracy of information transmission. As a key material for logistics packaging, adhesive tape not only seals boxes, but the printed labels (such as delivery information, barcodes, and warning signs) serve as a crucial basis for cargo sorting and customs inspection. Inadequate ink abrasion resistance can lead to blurred or detached labels due to friction, scratches, or contact with corrosive substances during transportation. This can lead to delivery errors, customs delays, and even cargo detention, resulting in direct economic losses and brand reputation risks.
Ink abrasion resistance essentially refers to the ability of the ink layer to resist mechanical damage. Its core mechanisms stem from the ink's cohesion and adhesion. Cohesion refers to the strength of the bonds between ink molecules, while adhesion reflects the bond strength between the ink and the adhesive tape substrate. When both properties are excellent, the ink layer forms a dense, uniform film, effectively resisting physical impact from carton friction, equipment scratches, and human contact during transportation. Conversely, if the ink's cohesion is weak, friction can easily cause pigment particles to fall off, resulting in mottled marks. Poor adhesion can cause the entire ink layer to peel, directly compromising the integrity of the label. For example, in automated sorting systems, adhesive tape labels must withstand the friction of conveyor belts and the pressure of robotic grippers. If the ink's abrasion resistance is insufficient, barcodes may become partially de-inked and unreadable by scanning equipment, forcing goods to be diverted to manual processing and delaying delivery.
Temperature and humidity fluctuations in the transportation environment can significantly affect ink abrasion resistance. High temperatures can soften the resin components in the ink, reducing adhesion; low temperatures can make the ink layer brittle and less resistant to scratches. Regarding humidity, moisture absorption and expansion of the adhesive tape substrate can create stress between the adhesive tape and the ink layer, weakening adhesion. High water content in the ink itself can lead to a porous structure upon drying, reducing abrasion resistance. For example, during sea transportation, the high humidity inside containers can cause adhesive tape labels to absorb moisture, weakening the bond between the ink layer and the substrate, making them more susceptible to detachment due to friction. Furthermore, improper surface treatment of the adhesive tape substrate (such as corona treatment) can lead to poor compatibility between the ink and the substrate. Even if the ink itself meets the abrasion resistance standard, the overall durability of the label will be limited.
Ink formulation and process parameters have a decisive influence on abrasion resistance. Resin type is a key factor. Epoxy-based inks offer superior abrasion resistance to acrylic resins due to their high molecular crosslinking density. Adding abrasion-resistant additives such as nanosilica or polytetrafluoroethylene wax powder can fill the gaps between ink particles and improve surface hardness. The degree of curing is also crucial. UV-curable inks require a high monomer conversion rate to form a stable three-dimensional network structure. Insufficient curing can easily lead to powdering of the ink layer due to friction. For example, a packaging company experienced a problem with adhesive tape labels due to stratification of UV varnish, resulting in varying solids content. This problem was resolved by adding a stirring step to even out the raw materials.
The abrasion resistance of adhesive tape labels is closely related to the printing process. Excessive printing pressure can lead to an excessively thick ink layer, causing internal stress concentrations and reducing abrasion resistance. Excessive pressure can cause uneven ink transfer and create weak spots. The drying process is also critical. If the drying temperature is insufficient or the drying time is too short, the solvent in the ink will not fully evaporate, leaving residual substances that weaken the ink layer. Overdrying can make the ink layer brittle and reduce its scratch resistance. Furthermore, the precision of the printing equipment (such as screen tension and squeegee angle) also affects the uniformity of the ink layer, which in turn determines the overall abrasion resistance.
From an application perspective, international express delivery places even stricter abrasion resistance requirements on adhesive tape labels. Cross-border shipments involve multiple loading and unloading processes and transfers. Adhesive tape labels may come into contact with different packaging materials, equipment surfaces, and even chemicals. If the ink abrasion resistance is insufficient, the label may become blurred during initial transportation, making it difficult for customs to read the information, resulting in cargo detention or fines. For example, Brazilian customs require that the label barcode must include the HS code prefix. If the adhesive tape label breaks or sticks due to poor wear resistance, the customs system cannot link the pre-declaration data, potentially triggering an unpacking inspection and extending customs clearance time.
Improving the wear resistance of adhesive tape printing inks requires coordinated improvements in material selection, process optimization, and environmental control. Highly wear-resistant resins and additives should be selected, and the degree of curing should be strictly controlled; process parameters such as printing pressure and drying temperature should be optimized; and protective measures should be designed for transportation environments, such as using a waterproof and moisture-proof adhesive tape substrate and adding a wear-resistant coating. These systematic improvements ensure that adhesive tape labels remain legible even in complex transportation scenarios, ensuring logistics efficiency and cargo safety.
