Arcfoil EP 140 Easy-Peel Lidding Lacquer
An easy-peel lidding lacquer designed to fail cohesively within the lacquer layer at a low, consistent force, so the lid lifts cleanly without tearing the foil. It is the lower-force grade of the Arcfoil EP pair, for packs opened by hand without a tab.
Grade Arcfoil EP 140 | Range Aluminium Foil and Lidding Lacquers | Technology Solvent-borne peelable heat-seal lacquer, thermoplastic polymer blend formulated for cohesive failure
Technical Data Sheet
Arcfoil EP 140
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
An easy-peel lidding lacquer engineered to fail cohesively within the lacquer layer at a low, consistent force, so the lid lifts cleanly and the split leaves lacquer on both the lid and the flange rather than tearing the foil. It is aimed at consumer packs where opening force matters more than ultimate seal strength, including portion packs and single-serve pots. Against EP 260 it is the lower-force grade, for packs opened by hand without a tab.
2. Features
- Cohesive failure within the lacquer, leaving lacquer on both lid and flange
- Low, consistent opening force for hand opening without a tab
- Grade variants for polypropylene, polystyrene and PET flanges
- Peel force verified on the customer's own filled pack
3. Recommended uses
Portion packs and single-serve pots where opening force matters more than ultimate seal strength, sealed on cup fillers and tray sealers.
Substrates. Aluminium foil 25 to 45 micron; foil and paper laminate; sealing to polypropylene, polystyrene and PET flanges depending on the grade variant specified.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent-borne peelable heat-seal lacquer, thermoplastic polymer blend formulated for cohesive failure | Formulation |
| Carrier | Organic solvent blend | formulation |
| Non-volatile content | 20 to 35 per cent by weight | ISO 3251 |
| Supply viscosity, ISO flow cup 4 mm at 23 degrees Celsius | 20 to 45 s | ISO 2431 |
| Dry coat weight applied | 4 to 7 g/m2 | in-house, gravimetric |
| Peak metal temperature in the cure oven | 160 to 190 degrees Celsius | in-house, travelling thermocouple on the web |
| Sealing initiation temperature | 110 to 140 degrees Celsius | seals made to ASTM F2029, strength measured to ASTM F88 |
| Seal strength, web to web | 3 to 5 N per 15 mm, peel band agreed per pack | ASTM F88 |
| Lid peel from a filled container flange | 2 to 5 N per 15 mm, cohesive failure mode recorded | supported technique of ASTM F88, on the customer's own pack |
| Adhesion of the cured lacquer | No removal on tape pull or after a bend over a mandrel | in-house tape pull and mandrel bend on thin lidding gauges |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Roll coated on a web coating line, oven cured |
| Substrate and surface preparation | Aluminium foil 25 to 45 micron or foil and paper laminate; specify the flange polymer, polypropylene, polystyrene or PET, to select the grade variant. Clean, dry, fully annealed foil; confirm the residual rolling oil level on incoming coils and prime with Arcfoil PR 110 where oil level, temper or a laminate face makes direct adhesion unreliable |
| Dilution | Supplied ready for use; if reduction is needed, use only the thinner specified by Arctic for the grade and recheck supply viscosity and solids |
| Applied dry coat weight | 4 to 7 g/m2, held uniform across the width since coat weight moves the peel force |
| Cure | Peak metal temperature 160 to 190 degrees Celsius, measured with a travelling thermocouple on the web |
| Sealing conditions | Jaw 150 to 180 degrees Celsius, 0.2 to 0.4 MPa, dwell 0.5 to 1.5 s, set in the middle of the peel plateau |
| Next step | Verify peel force and failure mode on the customer's filled pack; a change from cohesive to interfacial failure is treated as a change even if the force is unchanged |
Process. Roll coated on a web coating line and oven cured; sealed on a cup filler or tray sealer, with the peel force verified on the customer’s own filled pack.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original containers, kept closed, in a cool, dry, covered area out of direct sunlight and within the temperature range given on the label. Shelf life is stated on the label and on the Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.