Electron Beam Curing Inks

Electron beam curing produces a finish similar to that of traditional solvent evaporation processes but achieves that finish through a polymerization process.

Electron beam curing inks.

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. That technology is called electron beam eb or e beam curing. Energy sciences inc is the world leader in low energy electron beam solutions. 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.

Samples were attached to a moving carrier web and exposed with an eb dose of 30 kgy. 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. 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. Electron beam curing ink.

The technology possesses inherent advantages over solvent and water based materials as well. The eb curing ink vehicle is composed of fluid oligomer s and monomer s that when exposed to a beam of high energy electrons release free radical s that cause the polymerization of the vehicle which hardens to a dry ink film containing the pigment. Solvent free ultraviolet light uv and electron beam eb inkjet inks cure incredibly fast when exposed to a uv or eb source. Esi pioneers the low voltage eb market.

Electron beam curable ink is formulated with reactive solvents oligomers and additives to provide color gloss and levelling properties. Electron beam curing is a method of curing paints and inks without the need for traditional solvent. Following uv curing the ink films were further cured with a broadbeam ep series electron beam unit operating at 125 kv. Eb flexo inks require less upfront capital cost no interstation dryers and no solvent capture destruction or regulatory expenses.

In fact it s been used in web offset printing for decades. Eb technology is used in flexible packaging and folding carton packaging to cure inks coatings and laminating adhesives. Like uv curing eb curing is not a new technology. These inks eliminate the need for large baking ovens for traditional paints and inks.

Growth of the electron beam curable ink market is driven by low processing cost as compared to the uv technology. Recent advances in electron beam curing chemistry and equipment encourage the increased use of this type of material in flexible packaging applications.