Friction and wear of various polymer pairs used for label and wiper in labeling machine

Labels should be to affixed containers without defects for a positive corporate image. Conformal contact between labels and containers can be made when suitable friction occurs at the label/wiper interface. For an understanding of friction in various label/wipe pairs, load, speed, and varnish coating effect were studied. Effect of load and speed was elucidated from frictional heating and formation of tribofilm, which are contributors to polymer friction. In typical loading conditions, there was no load or speed kinetic friction dependence because of insufficient frictional heating. Under extreme conditions, friction increases with speed and load because of frictional heating. Static friction does not vary with load. Lower shear strength PTFE tape wiper showed lower friction but higher wear than HDPE coating.