Why COF Testing Matters
Coefficient of friction directly affects how plastic film behaves on packaging, printing, and converting equipment, and how packages perform once filled and stacked. A COF that is too high can cause films to jam or drag through machinery; a COF that is too low can let stacked packages slide, undermining pallet stability and package integrity.
Typical applications include:
- Flexible packaging — produce bags, shrink film, stand-up pouches
- Food packaging — meat seal wrap, film overwrap
- Medical packaging — I.V. bags, pouch and lidding film
- Industrial film — trash bags, construction liners, sacks
- EV battery separator film — polyolefin separator films between anode and cathode
Two Ways to Test ISO 8295
Thwing-Albert offers two instrument paths for ISO 8295 COF testing, depending on your lab setup.
FP-2265 Friction/Peel Tester
The FP-2265 Friction/Peel Tester is Thwing-Albert’s dedicated benchtop instrument for COF, peel, seal strength, and light tensile testing in a single unit. It replaces the FP225-1, FP-2250, FP-2255, and FP-2260.
- Measures static COF, kinetic COF, and slide angle
- Configurable by time or distance; reports kinetic COF standard deviation across the full test
- Compatible with all standard and custom COF sleds and fixtures
- Supports ISO 8295, ASTM D1894, ASTM D4521, TAPPI T816, and TAPPI T549
- Optional heated platen for elevated-temperature COF testing up to 204.4°C (400°F)
COF Fixture (769-3000) for Vantage Series & QC-3A
For labs already running testing with a universal testing machine like the Vantage Series or QC-3A , the 769-3000 COF Fixture adds coefficient of friction testing to that existing platform. The fixture consists of a horizontal platform and grip adapter, and meets ASTM D1894, ASTM D4521, ISO 8295, TAPPI T549, and TAPPI T816. A COF sled is required and ordered separately based on your testing needs.
COF Sled Options
Standard COF sleds available for the FP-2265 and the 769-3000 COF Fixture, compatible with ISO 8295 testing:
| Sled |
Weight |
Notes |
| 200 Gram EZ-Sled |
200 g |
Magnetic closure for fast sample loading |
| 200 Gram Sled |
200 g |
Paper, paperboard, films |
| 200 Gram Sled |
200 g |
Flexible packaging materials |
| 500 Gram Sled |
500 g |
General-purpose film testing |
| 500 Gram Sled |
500 g |
Flexible packaging materials |
| 1000 Gram Sled |
1000 g |
Heavier film and sheeting |
| 2000 Gram Sled |
2000 g |
Heavy film and sheeting |
| 3 Pound Sled |
3 lb (≈ 1361 g) |
Common U.S. specification weight |
| Self Adjusting 3-Ball Sled |
— |
Nonuniform surfaces, coated materials, laminate flooring, cans |
| Custom sleds |
Variable |
Available on request — FP-2265 accepts variable sled weights via software |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FP-2265 a COF tester?
Yes. The FP-2265 Friction/Peel Tester is Thwing-Albert’s dedicated benchtop instrument for coefficient of friction testing, and it also performs peel, seal strength, and light tensile tests in the same unit. In COF mode it measures static COF, kinetic COF, and slide angle to ISO 8295, ASTM D1894, ASTM D4521, TAPPI T816, and TAPPI T549.
Can I test ISO 8295 on my Vantage or QC-3A?
Yes. The 769-3000 COF Fixture mounts to the Vantage Series and QC-3A universal testing machines and is rated to ISO 8295, ASTM D1894, ASTM D4521, TAPPI T549, and TAPPI T816. This is a good option if you already have one of those platforms in your lab and want to add COF capability without a dedicated benchtop unit. A COF sled is required and ordered separately.
What COF sled weight should I use?
Standard sleds are available in 200 g, 500 g, 1000 g, 2000 g, and 3 lb, plus a self-adjusting 3-ball sled for nonuniform surfaces, and Thwing-Albert also offers custom sled weights. The correct weight depends on your material specification or your customer’s/end-use requirement — consult your governing standard or specification sheet, or contact Thwing-Albert’s applications team for a recommendation.
Can COF be tested at elevated temperature?
Yes. The FP-2265 supports an optional heated platen for elevated-temperature COF testing up to 204.4°C (400°F), useful for evaluating film behavior under conditions closer to production or end-use environments.
What materials is ISO 8295 used for?
ISO 8295 applies to non-sticky plastic film and sheeting up to approximately 0.5 mm thick. Typical applications include flexible packaging, food film, medical packaging, industrial liners and sacks, and EV battery separator film.
