Electron Beam Curing Inks

Recent advances in electron beam curing chemistry and equipment encourage the increased use of this type of material in flexible packaging applications.

Electron beam curing inks.

Growth of the electron beam curable ink market is driven by low processing cost as compared to the uv technology. Energy curing use in packaging decoration and protection has been in place since the first commercial run of uv ultraviolet light curing inks and coatings in 1969. A type of photo reactive vehicle ink that dries or sets with the application of a beam of electrons in a manner similar to that of ultraviolet curing ink. Electron beam curing is a method of curing paints and inks without the need for traditional solvent.

Electron beam curing produces a finish similar to that of traditional solvent evaporation processes but achieves that finish through a polymerization process. When exposed to a beam of high energy electrons the fluid oligomers and monomers release free radicals that cause curing of the ink. Uv inks fall into a category generally called energy cured inks and there is a related ink technology that can offer the same benefits as uv while eliminating some of the downsides. Achieve gravure quality without gravure expense electron beam eb flexo inks produce smaller dots 170 lpi and as a result yield sharper more repeatable images.

Energy sciences inc is the world leader in low energy electron beam solutions. Electron beam curing ink. Esi pioneers the low voltage eb market. That technology is called electron beam eb or e beam curing.

Developed by sun chemical allows flexo application of multiple ink colors without interstation drying curing is accomplished with a single eb unit at the end of the press inks contain limited amounts about 20 of water attractive for food packaging water replaces monomer content for viscosity reduction high print quality due to low dot gain. Eb flexo inks require less upfront capital cost no interstation dryers and no solvent capture destruction or regulatory expenses. The technology possesses inherent advantages over solvent and water based materials as well. Solvent free ultraviolet light uv and electron beam eb inkjet inks cure incredibly fast when exposed to a uv or eb source.

Like uv curing eb curing is not a new technology. Eb technology is used in flexible packaging and folding carton packaging to cure inks coatings and laminating adhesives. These inks eliminate the need for large baking ovens for traditional paints and inks. Duplicate samples were eb cured in air and also using nitrogen inerting 200 ppm oxygen.

Samples were attached to a moving carrier web and exposed with an eb dose of 30 kgy. Electron beam curable ink is formulated with reactive solvents oligomers and additives to provide color gloss and levelling properties.