Analysis of environmentally friendly water-based inks with zero emission of VOC

With the improvement of people's living standards and health, the pursuit of low toxicity, environmental protection, and healthy products, our ink market has undergone certain changes, and the water-based market is gradually improving. At present, water-based inks are mainly flexible and intaglio printing, most of which are food packaging, tobacco and alcohol, pharmaceutical factories, and children's toys. About 95% of flexible printing and gravure printing in the United States and Europe are water-based, while China currently accounts for only 3%.

Water-based inks were born under this background. In the printing field, in order to eliminate the VOC (low boiling point organic compounds) released by solvent-based inks, that is, to meet the requirements of EPA to reduce or eliminate VOCs, chemical engineers have continuously developed high solids. Divided into coatings, powder coatings, UV-curable coatings, water-based coatings, etc., these inks have greatly reduced VOC emissions, and some even eliminated VOC emissions.

Composition of water-based ink

Water-based inks are made from water-based resins, pigments, solvents and additives through compound processing and grinding. The water-soluble resin mainly acts as a binder in the ink, and the pigment particles are evenly dispersed, so that the ink has a certain fluidity, and the adhesion to the substrate material is generated, so that the ink forms a uniform film layer after printing.

Characteristics of water-based ink

1. The water-based ink is a new type of environmentally friendly printing ink with good adhesion, good flexibility, good elasticity, anti-sticking, washing resistance, printability, and over-netting properties, and high solid content.

2. Non-flammable, stable ink, non-corrosive to printing substrate, prevent color migration, strong water resistance, and fast drying. Not only can it reduce the hidden dangers caused by static electricity and flammable solvents, but also reduce the residual toxicity on the printing surface, and it is very convenient to clean the printing equipment, so it is especially used in food, beverage, pharmaceutical and other packaging industries.

3. The water-based ink solvent is water and a small amount of alcohol, which significantly reduces VOC emissions, prevents air pollution, and does not affect human health. Products that come into direct contact with the human body, such as T-shirts and other pure cotton, elastic fabrics, The insole printing industry also has a wide range of uses, is a world-recognized environmentally friendly material, and is currently the ink recognized by the American Food Association among all printing inks.

4. In terms of cost, due to the current rising prices of organic solvents, the use cost of solvent-based inks is increasing day by day, and the solvent and water-screen printing of water-based inks mainly use tap water, and the use cost will undoubtedly be much lower than solvent-based inks.

Instructions for use of water-based ink:

Applicable mesh: 40-100T (water-based screen printing plate)

Applicable rubber squeegee: It is recommended to use 65-70 degree polyester squeegee or water-based special rubber

Coating area: 25-35 square meters / kg (77T polyester flat silk or photoresist screen)

Thinner: neutral water

Plate washing water: ordinary tap water

Requirements for water-based ink formulation

According to different printing requirements, the viscosity of the ink needs to be adjusted properly before use. Pay attention to the neutrality of the water added during adjustment, otherwise it will affect the viscosity and drying speed of the water-based ink. At the same time, the amount of thinner (water) added should not exceed 3%, otherwise, or reduce the color density of the ink, it will also have a significant impact on the PH value of the water-based ink.

Printing requirements for water-based inks

Due to the characteristics of water-based ink, the drying speed of the ink is difficult to control, so it is suitable for rapid printing during printing. If the printing speed is too slow, the ink on the screen will quickly dry up.

Drying requirements of water-based ink

Water-based inks are mainly naturally dried, but after printing, they are naturally dried for 8 hours and then baked at 130 degrees for about 1 minute.

Use of water-based ink additives

Slow-drying agent: used to reduce the drying speed of water-based ink, the amount used should not exceed 5%.

Antifoaming agent: used to eliminate bubbles, the dosage is between 0.5-2%.

Thickener: used to increase the viscosity of the resin to make the ink reach a suitable viscosity, the amount is between 0.5-2%.

PH stabilizer: used to maintain the PH value of water-based ink, control it between 8-9.5.

Precautions before using water-based ink

1. Water-based inks cannot be mixed with solvent-based inks, or organic solvents such as benzenes, esters, ethers, and ketones can be added to water-based inks.

2. Water-based ink should be stored indoors at a temperature of 5-40 degrees to avoid direct sunlight.

3. Due to the volatilization of water during the printing process, the viscosity will rise and the PH value will drop. Use a PH stabilizer to adjust the PH value between 8-9.5.

4. Due to the complexity and diversity of current printing substrates, it is necessary to do strict pre-production testing according to actual production needs before choosing an ink for mass production.

5. Long-term storage of the ink will produce a gel, which needs to be fully stirred when used.

6. After the ink is prepared, it needs to be allowed to stand for defoaming before use, otherwise the ink layer will produce bubbles or pinholes.

7. Static electricity on the screen or printed surface will cause pinholes in the printed ink layer.

8. When printing is stopped for a short time, it should be covered with a layer of ink immediately, otherwise it will easily lead to network blocking.

9. Rinse with water immediately after printing, otherwise it is easy to block the net after drying, you can increase the thickness of the screen to reduce the blocking of the ink on the screen.

10. Seal the ink in time before use to prevent affecting the ink status.

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