Pattern Formation in Slot-Die Coating

TL;DR

This study investigates how pattern formation occurs during slot-die coating of low-viscosity liquids on PET substrates, revealing that increased coating speed induces stripe patterns whose orientation depends on liquid viscosity, supported by experimental and theoretical analysis.

Contribution

It provides new experimental insights and a simple hydrodynamic model explaining pattern formation and stripe orientation during slot-die coating processes.

Findings

Stripe patterns form at higher coating speeds.

Stripe orientation depends on liquid viscosity.

Theoretical model aligns with experimental observations.

Abstract

We experimentally study the occurrence of pattern formation during the slot-die coating of low-viscosity nearly Newtonian liquids onto Polyethylenterephthalat (PET)-substrates. In particular, it is demonstrated that with increase of the coating speed a homogeneous coating becomes unstable with respect to periodic stripe patterns. Thereby, depending on the liquid viscosity, the stripes can be oriented parallel or perpendicular with respect to the coating direction. Mixed states do also occur. The spatial period of perpendicular [parallel] stripes increases [decrease] with the coating speed. The dependence of the effect on various control parameters is investigated. Finally, a simple theoretical model based on the hydrodynamics of thin films of partially wetting liquids is analyzed. Comparing the results to the experiments, conclusions are drawn regarding the acting instability and pattern formation mechanisms.