In for a Treat

Westerheim notes that ceramic, though a "sturdy, deluxe covering," can get hot. As a result, some films may not stand up to it. Epoxy stays cooler, she notes.

The versatility of universal treating can eliminate the bare roll vs. covered roll dilemma, says Opad. Some convertible treater designs feature a rotary selector switch that enables treatment of conductive or nonconductive materials without roll changes, while other universal treater rolls allow operators to switch between covered roll, bare roll, and dual dielectric systems by changing electrode cartridge.