{"id":5255,"date":"2026-08-31T10:03:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T10:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/lse-vs-hse-dlaczego-jedne-powierzchnie-nie-chca-sie-kleic-a-inne-przyjmuja-tasme-od-razu\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T10:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T10:43:12","slug":"lse-vs-hse-dlaczego-jedne-powierzchnie-nie-chca-sie-kleic-a-inne-przyjmuja-tasme-od-razu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/lse-vs-hse-dlaczego-jedne-powierzchnie-nie-chca-sie-kleic-a-inne-przyjmuja-tasme-od-razu\/","title":{"rendered":"LSE vs HSE"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt\u2019s not that the tape doesn\u2019t stick well \u2014 it\u2019s that the surface won\u2019t let it stick.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

Tomasz Gorzawski, CVGS<\/i><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever tried sticking double-sided tape to a polypropylene casing and found that after a few hours it came off at the slightest touch \u2014 you weren\u2019t just unlucky. You were dealing with a material with low surface energy. Understanding what surface energy is and how it classifies materials into LSE and HSE is the first step towards ensuring that adhesive bonds are no longer a matter of chance.<\/i><\/p>\n

Surface energy in a single diagram<\/b><\/h2>\n

The quickest way to see the difference between LSE and HSE is to take a look at how the same tape behaves on both types of surface. The same adhesive. The same pressure. Different substrates. Different results.<\/p>\n

The key factor is not the thickness of the adhesive layer, but rather how much of the substrate\u2019s micro-profile the adhesive is able to fill. This is the whole difference between a bond that lasts for years and one that fails after a few hours.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fig. 1. The same tape on an HSE and an LSE surface. On the HSE, the adhesive fills the micro-roughness and achieves almost full contact with the substrate. On the LSE, it rests on the peaks of the profile \u2014 air gaps remain between the adhesive and the substrate, and the actual contact area is only a few per cent of the nominal area.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fig. 1. This is how it looks in practice: the foam tape peels away from the PP casing almost without a trace \u2014 the adhesive never bonded to the substrate. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

CONDITIONS FOR GOOD BONDING<\/b><\/p>\n

High surface energy of the substrate + good adhesive adhesion + adequate cohesion of the adhesive layer or carrier. If any one of these elements is missing, it is only a matter of time before the bond fails.<\/p>\n

What are LSE and HSE?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Materials are divided into two groups based on their surface energy. The dividing line is conventionally set at 36\u201338 dyn\/cm \u2014 above this value, most PSA adhesives bond well without additional treatment; below it, activation or a special tape for LSE is required.<\/p>\n

We treat this value as a practical guide rather than a physical constant. The result depends on the specific material, the coating used, cleanliness, surface treatment and surface condition \u2014 which is why we have marked a zone on the graph rather than a single line.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fig. 2. A simplified scale of surface energy for typical manufacturing materials. The 36\u201338 dyn\/cm range is a threshold area \u2014 below this, the material behaves like an LSE and requires activation or a special tape. The values are approximate; actual measurements depend on processing, additives and surface condition.<\/i><\/p>\n

HSE \u2014 High Surface Energy<\/b><\/h3>\n

The adhesive wets the surface extremely well; adhesion is strong, and acrylic tapes (such as VHB) achieve full strength without additional activators. This group includes metals, glass, polycarbonate (PC), ABS, polyester, PVC, polyurethane, acrylics and Kapton.<\/p>\n

LSE \u2014 Low Surface Energy<\/b><\/h3>\n

The adhesive does not spread; it forms droplets on the surface, and adhesion is poor or non-existent. Typical examples include: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE \u2014 HDPE, LDPE), polyacetal (POM), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE, TPU), EPDM and modified PA6.<\/p>\n

The most challenging materials are Teflon (PTFE) and silicones. To be more precise than simply calling them \u2018non-bondable\u2019: they are very difficult to bond using standard adhesive systems; however, with the use of dedicated primers, surface activation or special adhesives, a bond can be achieved.<\/p>\n

Which materials are LSE and which are HSE \u2014 reference guide<\/b><\/h3>\n

Table 1 \u2014 Which materials are LSE and which are HSE: a cheat sheet<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Material<\/th>\nSurface energy [dyn\/cm]<\/th>\nGroup<\/th>\nWhat it means in practice<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
PTFE (Teflon)<\/td>\n~18<\/td>\nLSE<\/td>\nRequires dedicated systems, primers or activation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silicones<\/td>\n~24<\/td>\nLSE<\/td>\nStandard PSAs do not bond; silicone adhesives needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polypropylene (PP)<\/td>\n~29<\/td>\nLSE<\/td>\nLSE tape or activation (flame, plasma, corona)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polyethylene (PE \u2014 HDPE, LDPE)<\/td>\n~31<\/td>\nLSE<\/td>\nAs above; a frequent issue with housings and flaps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EPDM, TPE, TPU<\/td>\n~30\u201334<\/td>\nLSE<\/td>\nPlasticiser migration on top \u2014 check compatibility<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
POM (polyacetal)<\/td>\n~36\u201338<\/td>\nborderline<\/td>\nBehaves differently from batch to batch \u2014 always measure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Modified PA6<\/td>\n~36\u201342<\/td>\nborderline<\/td>\nModifiers can push the material towards LSE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PVC<\/td>\n~39<\/td>\nHSE<\/td>\nStandard adhesives bond; watch out for plasticisers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ABS<\/td>\n~42<\/td>\nHSE<\/td>\nGood substrate for acrylic tapes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polyester (PET), Kapton<\/td>\n~43<\/td>\nHSE<\/td>\nStable, predictable bonds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polycarbonate (PC), acrylics, PUR<\/td>\n~44\u201346<\/td>\nHSE<\/td>\nVHB reaches full strength without an activator<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Glass<\/td>\n~70<\/td>\nHSE<\/td>\nVery good substrate after degreasing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Metals (steel, aluminium)<\/td>\n\u226575 after cleaning<\/td>\nHSE<\/td>\nSurface condition decides: oil, oxides, coatings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Tab. 1. Indicative surface energy values and their consequences for tape selection. Materials in the borderline zone should always be measured before a solution is chosen.<\/em><\/p>\n

Problem category \u2014 recycled materials and porous surfaces<\/b><\/h3>\n

Even if the base material is HSE, the presence of additives, stabilisers, mould release agents or a light coating of oil can drastically reduce the effective surface energy. The same applies to recycled surfaces \u2014 they may behave like LSE, even if they are chemically HSE.<\/p>\n

In recycled materials and polymer blends, the variation in results is often significantly greater than for virgin materials. This means that a single measurement on a single batch is not sufficient to settle the matter.<\/p>\n

FROM CVGS\u2019S EXPERIENCE<\/b><\/p>\n

We encountered a case where a tape with stable, repeatedly verified parameters ceased to function after the customer switched to recycled material. The cause was not the tape itself, but the unstable and reduced surface energy of the new substrate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fig. 2. Three batches of the same recycled component \u2014 differences in shade and texture are visible to the naked eye, and the surface energy varies accordingly. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

How to measure surface energy in practice \u2014 a marker or ink?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before you choose a tape, it\u2019s worth knowing exactly what you\u2019re working with. Two tools calibrated to a specific value in dyn\/cm (usually 38) are used for this: a test marker and test ink. The reading principle is the same in both cases \u2014 you draw a line several centimetres long and observe it for 2\u20134 seconds (the observation period depends on the type of ink). A line that remains straight indicates that the surface has at least the tested energy level. A line that converges into dots or \u2018shrinks\u2019 indicates a lower energy level.<\/p>\n

The difference between the marker and the ink therefore does not lie in the physics of the measurement, but in what happens to the tool after it comes into contact with a dirty surface.<\/p>\n

How to interpret the result \u2014 three scenarios you\u2019ll see on site<\/b><\/h3>\n

In practice, the line behaves in one of three ways, each leading to a different decision:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The line retains its shape for over 2 seconds \u2014 the surface has at least the tested energy level. You can bond using a standard solution.<\/li>\n
  • The line breaks up into dots in less than a second \u2014 a classic LSE. You\u2019ll need LSE-grade tape or surface activation.<\/li>\n
  • The line breaks in places \u2014 part of the line holds, part shrinks. This is usually not down to the material, but localised contamination: oil, a fingerprint, or a release agent from the mould. Clean, degrease and measure again.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Fig. 3. Three typical readings for a 38 dyn\/cm line and three ways of drawing it. The marker and the ink measure the same value, but they cope differently with contact with a dirty surface \u2014 and it is this difference, rather than accuracy, that determines the choice of tool.<\/i><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Fig. 3. Bracketing on a PP panel: ink 30 wets the surface and holds the line; 35 begins to break up at the edges; 40 shrinks into droplets \u2014 the surface energy of the material is approx. 30\u201335 dyn\/cm. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Fig. 4. The same measurement using 30\/35\/40 test pens \u2014 three marks, three behaviours, one answer. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

    Five scenarios from the production floor<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Theory ends the moment you stand at the machine. Below are the scenarios that occur most frequently in surface energy testing \u2014 and the conclusions that can be drawn from them.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • A PP housing straight from the injection moulding machine. The line breaks up immediately. No surprise there \u2013 PP is LSE by definition. The decision is made straight away: LSE tape or activation.<\/li>\n
    • Aluminium sheet after stamping. The marker reads \u2018below 38\u2019, even though aluminium is a textbook HSE material. You\u2019re not measuring the metal \u2014 you\u2019re measuring the thin layer of process oil left on it. After wiping with IPA, the mark holds. This is the most common cause of \u2018strange\u2019 results on metals.<\/li>\n
    • Polycarbonate with protective film. The line holds beautifully \u2013 except that it\u2019s on the film, not on the material itself. The test is always carried out on the surface that will actually come into contact with the tape, not on whatever happens to be on top.<\/li>\n
    • PP after flame activation. Immediately after activation, the 38-line mark holds. After two days, the effect is already noticeably weaker \u2014 the activation wears off over time. It is therefore necessary to measure not only immediately after activation, but also at the end of the actual window between activation and bonding.<\/li>\n
    • A detail from recycled material, another batch of raw material. The previous batch passed the test without any issues; the same line on the new batch breaks up into dots. With recycled materials, measurements are taken batch by batch, rather than just once per production run.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Fig. 5. Flame activation of a PP profile on the production line \u2014 increases the surface energy of polyolefins from approx. 30 to over 45 dyn\/cm, but the effect diminishes over time. (Illustrative image.)<\/i><\/p>\n

      Test marker \u2014 quick verification at the customer\u2019s premises<\/b><\/h3>\n

      The marker is unrivalled where time is of the essence: you walk into the workshop, draw a line, and you have your answer. It requires nothing but itself. However, it has one condition for use and one pitfall.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Clean surface \u2014 reliable result. The marker works perfectly on substrates prepared for bonding: after washing, degreasing and activation.<\/li>\n
      • A dirty or oily surface \u2014 throw the marker away. The tip absorbs dirt from the surface and carries it over to subsequent measurements. The effect is insidious: once the marker comes into contact with oil, it starts to \u2018underestimate\u2019 the results even on sound materials, so the technician rejects batches where nothing was actually wrong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Fig. 6. A 38 dyn\/cm marker on degreased aluminium \u2014 the line retains its shape, and the surface is ready for bonding. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Fig. 7. The same value on polypropylene \u2014 the line shrinks into droplets in 2\u20134 seconds. A classic LSE reading. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

        LSE. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

        Test ink \u2014 repeatable measurement in the production process<\/b><\/h3>\n

        Ink in a container with a brush has a design flaw that only becomes apparent in the actual production process: the brush returns to the container along with whatever it has picked up from the surface. A single oily substrate is enough to contaminate the entire stock.<\/p>\n

        CASE STUDY<\/b><\/p>\n

        The client was using ink in a container with a brush to inspect surfaces prior to the bonding process. The measurement showed a decrease in surface energy, and analysis indicated partial oil contamination of the material. The problem was that oil had also entered the ink container \u2014 from that point onwards, the entire measurement system was contaminated, and subsequent readings were no longer reliable.<\/p>\n

        CVGS recommendation: ink without a brush + disposable application swabs. After each contaminated measurement, you discard the swab, not the entire set.<\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Fig. 8. The brush returns to the bottle with what it has picked up from the surface \u2014 a rainbow-coloured oily film is already visible on the surface of the ink. From this point onwards, the entire supply is contaminated. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Fig. 9. Recommended kit: 10 ml ink without a brush and disposable swabs \u2014 a new swab for each measurement. (Illustrative image.)<\/i><\/p>\n

        When to use a marker, and when to use ink<\/b><\/i><\/h3>\n

        Table 2 \u2014 When to use a test pen and when to use test ink<\/h2>\n
        \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Situation<\/th>\nRecommended method<\/th>\nWhy<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        Quick check at the customer’s site, clean surface<\/td>\nTest pen<\/td>\nResult in 2\u20134 seconds, no kit, nothing to spill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Check after washing or degreasing<\/td>\nTest pen or ink with brush<\/td>\nA prepared substrate does not contaminate the tool<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Surface of unknown condition, suspected oil contamination<\/td>\nInk without brush + single-use swabs<\/td>\nContamination stays on the swab, not in the ink stock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Routine in-line inspection<\/td>\nInk without brush + single-use swabs<\/td>\nRepeatable readings over time and across shifts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Verifying activation effectiveness (flame, plasma, corona)<\/td>\nSet of inks at several dyn\/cm values<\/td>\nGives the actual level, not just “above \/ below”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Recycled materials, variable raw-material batches<\/td>\nInk without brush, measured batch by batch<\/td>\nBatch-to-batch scatter is larger than for virgin polymers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

        Tab. 2. Choosing a surface energy inspection method depending on the production situation.<\/em><\/p>\n

        Why this matters in production<\/b><\/h2>\n

        The difference between LSE and HSE is not merely academic. In practice, it works as follows:<\/p>\n

        A polycarbonate (HSE) component bonded with VHB tape achieves full strength and does not delaminate even under dynamic loads. The same tape on a polypropylene housing will delaminate \u2018with a fingernail\u2019 after a few hours if the surface has not been prepared beforehand.<\/p>\n

        That is why the first question to ask when designing an adhesive bond is: what material am I working with \u2014 LSE or HSE? The answer determines everything: the choice of tape, the need for surface preparation, and the need to use a primer or activation (flame, plasma, corona).<\/p>\n

        Tapes designed for LSE \u2014 how they work<\/b><\/h2>\n

        Since LSE surfaces \u2018do not like\u2019 adhesive, tape manufacturers have developed solutions capable of winning them over. Tapes for LSE have several features that distinguish them from standard ones:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • High wet-out \u2014 adhesives with a very high ability to wet the surface.<\/li>\n
        • Greater adhesive elasticity \u2014 allowing micro-roughness to be filled in.<\/li>\n
        • Modified rubber or special LSE acrylics \u2014 as the chemical base.<\/li>\n
        • Higher tack \u2014 the adhesive \u2018grips\u2019 the difficult surface immediately.<\/li>\n
        • The ability to eliminate the need for a primer \u2014 in many applications, it is no longer necessary to use an activator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Typical applications for LSE tapes<\/b><\/h3>\n

          Assembly of PP and PE components (housings, flaps, handles). Bonding of foams to PP\/PE. Labelling of LSE surfaces. Assembly of decorative elements onto plastics. Bonding of EPDM and TPE seals. Applications in the automotive and household appliances sectors. Logistics labels on LSE surfaces.<\/p>\n

          The water drop test \u2014 when you don\u2019t have a marker or ink to hand<\/b><\/h2>\n

          In production environments, it is not always clear what the actual surface energy of a material is \u2014 particularly after processes such as injection moulding, painting or embossing. We have discussed markers and ink above; if you do not have either to hand, there is a method that requires nothing more than water.<\/p>\n

          The contact angle is assessed. A drop that spreads out flat (small contact angle) indicates high surface energy. A drop that retains a hemispherical or \u2018spherical\u2019 shape (large contact angle) indicates low surface energy. The test does not provide a numerical value, but within a few seconds it shows the general trend and allows you to decide whether it is even worth using standard tape.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Fig. 4. Contact angle of a water droplet: below 30\u00b0 \u2014 an HSE surface; above 90\u00b0 \u2014 an LSE surface requiring activation.<\/i><\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Fig. 10. The same drop of water on glass (HSE) and on polypropylene (LSE) \u2014 the difference is visible without any equipment. (Illustrative photograph.)<\/i><\/p>\n

          PRACTICAL TIP<\/b><\/p>\n

          All three tests \u2014 the marker, ink and water droplet tests \u2014 take 2\u20133 seconds and require no specialist laboratory equipment. These are the bare essentials that should form part of every bonding technician\u2019s toolkit.<\/p>\n

          Summary<\/b><\/h2>\n

          Surface energy is a key parameter that determines whether bonding will be successful \u2014 regardless of how good the tape we buy is. HSE materials (metals, PC, ABS, glass) adhere well to adhesive. LSE materials (PP, PE, POM, TPE, EPDM) require either special tapes or surface activation. Distinguishing between these two groups, measuring the actual condition of the surface \u2014 rather than guessing \u2014 and making an informed choice of solution are the foundations of any durable adhesive bond.<\/p>\n

          \u201cThe quality of the bond is determined before you apply the adhesive \u2014 on the surface.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

          Tomasz Gorzawski, CVGS<\/i><\/p>\n

          Previously, we showed you the difference between cohesion and adhesion; today, we\u2019ll look at how LSE and HSE materials differ. In the next articles in this series, we\u2019ll show you how to effectively prepare a surface for bonding, how to choose the right type of adhesive (acrylic vs rubber vs silicone), and how to measure bond quality using the Peel, Loop Tack and Rolling Ball methods.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          \u201cIt\u2019s not that the tape doesn\u2019t stick well \u2014 it\u2019s that the surface won\u2019t let it stick.\u201d Tomasz Gorzawski, CVGS If you\u2019ve ever tried sticking double-sided tape to a polypropylene casing and found that after a few hours it came<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,54],"tags":[],"industry":[],"product":[],"subbrand":[],"usage":[],"class_list":["post-5255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aktualnosci-en","category-case-studies-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5255"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5274,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5255\/revisions\/5274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5255"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=5255"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=5255"},{"taxonomy":"subbrand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subbrand?post=5255"},{"taxonomy":"usage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvgs.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usage?post=5255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}