Coating method for modifying adhesion of thin films to substrates

A method for controlling a level of adhesion between a support web and a coating applied thereto in a slide bead coating operation comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting the support web;
• (b) selecting an organic solvent or blend of organic solvents that is substantially free of other constituents as a carrier layer;
• (c) flowing a multilayer composite down a slide surface and over a coating lip of a coating hopper, the multilayer composite including the carrier layer;
• (d) forming a coating bead between the coating lip and the web to thereby apply the multilayer composite to the support web;
• (e) drying the multilayer composite on the support web, the carrier layer evaporating from the multilayer composite;
• (f) testing an adhesive strength between the support web or subbing layer and the multilayer composite after drying;
• and
• (g) if a desired level of adhesion is not found in the testing step, selecting a different organic solvent or blend of organic solvents to modify the adhesive strength between the support web or subbing layer and the multilayer composite and repeating steps (c) through (g) until the desired level of adhesion is found.