Prescale Film

Red patches will appear on the film wherever contact pressure is applied and the color density indicated will vary according to the differing contact pressure levels.

Prescale film can precisely measure pressure, pressure distribution, and pressure balance.
Fujifilm's advanced technology in color film manufacturing enables Fuji to produce extremely thin and stable Prescale films of less than 200μm(100μmx2)
Red patches will appear on the film when pressure is applied and the color density changes according to the various pressure levels.
There are Seven types of Prescale available to fulfil your varying pressure range.(0.05∼300 MPa)(7.25 psi∼43,500 psi)

Strong Points

• Easy visual check of distribution/uniformity for contact pressure
• Contact pressure shown with differing concentrations of color can even be converted into numbers.
• Lower cost with no special devices or equipment required
• Quick measurement gives an at-a-glance picture.

Line Up

Eight products of Roll Type are supplied according to pressure level. Select appropriate Prescale.

Structure

There are two types of Prescale. Mono-sheet type is composed of a polyester base on which the color-developing material is coated, with the micro-encapsulated color-forming material layered on top. Two-sheet type is composed of two polyester bases. One is coated with a layer of micro-encapsulated color forming material and the other with a layer of the color-developing material. Use two films facing the coated sides each other.

Two types of Prescale(Extreme Low:4LW∼Medium:MW)

How it works

When pressure is applied, the microcapsules are broken and the color-forming material reacts with the color-developing material. Red patches appear on the film.

Mono-sheet type （Medium：MS∼Super High：HHS）

How to use

Prescale is the only material in the world able to measure pressure!
Microcapsules are broken and react with a color developing agent when pressure is applied.

Two-sheet type （Extreme Low：4LW∼Medium：MW）

Cut two Prescale films appropriately. (A-film in black poly sack and C-film in blue poly sack) Face the rough surfaces of each film and insert the films where you want to measure pressure. Apply pressure. Red patches appear on the film and the color density changes according to pressure level. Take out the C-film, see and check the pressure distribution. For further precise pressure values, please use the pressure analyzing system.

Mono-sheet type （Medium:MS∼Super High：HHS）

Cut Prescale film in black poly sack appropriately.
Insert the film where you want to measure pressure.
Apply pressure. Red patches appear on the film and the color density changes according to pressure level.
Take out the film, see and check the pressure distribution.
For further precise pressure values, please use the pressure analyzing system.

Applications

Automobile

Adjustment of pressure distribution and balance for various automobile-parts.
-Cylinder head gasket, Engine, Brake, Clutch, Tire, Carburetor, Gasket and Packing, Molding, Oil pan, Transmission, etc.

LCD

• Adjustment of pressure distribution for Polarizer sticking.
• Adjustment of pressure distribution for ACF bonding and TCP bonding.

Semiconductors

• Adjustment of lamination roll pressure distribution for back grinding tape and dicing.
• Adjustment of polishing pressure distribution in semiconductor CMP processes.

Printed circuit boards

• Adjustment of squeeze pressure distribution of solder cream against printed circuit boards.
• Adjustment of dry film resist(DFR) lamination pressure distribution for multilayer printed circuit boards.

Suitable for many other different applications

• Adjustment of nip roll pressure balance of high-performance films
• Adjustment of pressure balance for lamination rolls
• Measurement of winding pressure for high-performance films
• Adjustment of pressure distribution for vacuum laminators
• Adjustment of pressure distribution and flow check for fuel cell stacks

Specifications and Operational Environment

Pressure Chart (Low Pressure <LW> case)

Continuous pressure

Measurement pressure range:Low pressure (2.5∼10 MPa)
Pressure application condition:Time to reach the pressure 2 min.
Time of retention at the pressure 2 min.

Momentary pressure

Measurement pressure range:Low pressure (2.5∼10 MPa)
Pressure application condition:Time to reach the pressure 5 sec.
Time of retention at the pressure 5 sec.

Product Video

• View WMV file(WMV:7.4MB)

Q. What are the features of Prescale?

A.Prescale is a highly sensitive film that reacts to pressure that is applied to it. The level of pressure is indicated by the density of the color change.

• Results are easily checked visually.
• Extremely thin and stable films. There are two kinds of Prescale: Mono-sheet type and Two-sheet type.
• Easily customizable -- You can cut Prescale to your required size and insert it anywhere you want to measure pressure.
• Highly accurate -- Prescale color forming reaction is reliable even with a short pressure time.

Q. What are environmental conditions for using Prescale?

A.The following condition is recommended for Prescale usage(except 4LW and HHS): Temperature 20 ∼ 35°C (68 ∼ 95°F) and humidity 35 ∼ 80%RH. Measurement up to 180°C is available, however, the color density as well as the absolute values of the pressure cannot be guaranteed. Please note that the PET base gets soft at 80°C. The lowest temperature for possible use is around -20°C.

Accuracy:
±10% or less based on density values. For pressure values ±10% or higher.

The use in water or oil
Protect the film in a sealed poly sack or be careful to keep the coated side out of water or oil.

The use at high temperature
For a few seconds pressure application, sandwich the Prescale film between heat-resisting films. You can measure pressure even at high temperature as long as the heat-resisting material protects the Prescale film and it does not transmit the heat to it.

For jet pressure measurement
Protect the film in a sealed poly sack or cover the film with a protective sheet. Prescale is a highly sensitive film that reacts to pressure that is applied to it. The level of pressure is indicated by the density of the color change.

Q. Can I handle Prescale with bare hands?

A. Yes. Take care not to touch the coated side of A-film of Two-sheet type, the microcapsules can be broken and the color-forming material will attach to your hands. Although the material is harmless, you could ruin the accuracy of your measurement.

Q. How long should I wait for measurement after the red patches have appeared on the film?

A. It is recommend that measurements be taken in 30 to 60 minutes after the pressure has been applied. The color density gradually increases for several hours after the pressure has been applied and then, gradually decreases. Therefore, we recommend measuring within 60 minutes after the pressure has been applied in order to keep your data accurate.

Q. What is the minimum measurable area? How fast is the minimum measurable pressure application speed?

A. The minimum measurable area is 0.1mm square, which means that micro-capsules are coated evenly on 0.1mm square area of Prescale.

The minimum measurable pressure application speed is 1 msec. At any msec. base speed, accurate data cannot be guaranteed since microcapsules and color-developing material would absorb the pressure. As for the slowest speed, there's no limit unless pressure is repeatedly applied.

Correlation between pressure and micro-capsules
The size of micro-capsule and the strength of its wall have correlation with pressure. Large micro-capsules are broken by low pressure and small micro-capsules are broken by high pressure. Also, microcapsules with thin walls are broken by low pressure and those with thick walls are broken by high pressure. Several tens of micro-capsules in different sizes and wall strength are used for Prescale. The sizes of micro-capsules are from several μm up to tens of μm. Small micro-capsules are coated on the Prescale to measure high pressure and large micro-capsules are coated on the Prescale to measure low pressure.

Correlation between color density and micro-capsules
The volume of color forming material in micro-capsules and color developing material decides the color density.

Q. How fast does the developed color of Prescale fade and what is the best way to keep the measured Prescale from being deteriorated?

A.Ultraviolet rays accelerate the fading process of the color. Therefore, please protect the Prescale from ultraviolet rays by keeping it in a file and storing the file in a cabinet. The color will gradually fade even when storing the film in this manner . It is recommended that you measure the pressure values with a pressure measurement system and keeping the data in digital form for your reference.

Q. Tell me about pressure units.

A.Please refer to the following list.