Flexographic ink formulation

Flexographic Inks. Fluorescent toners such as the Radiant GF, Lawter HVT, and Day-Glo HM and HMS Series toners are used in flexographic ink formulations. These products are soluble in blends of alcohol (80%) and ester solvents (20%) and are compatible with modifying materials such as nitroceUulose resins and acryHc solution polymers. Flexographic inks of this type are used most commonly to print products such as ceUophane and polyethylene film for packaging, and also to print paper products such as gift wrap and price labels. 

Table 14. Flexographic Ink Formulation Containing Alcohol-Soluble Cellulose Acetate Propionate...

Cellulose acetate-propionate is used in flexographic ink formulations. The acetate-butyrate mixed esters are used in sheeting, molded plastics, hot melt dip coatings, lacquer coating and film products. The mixed proprionate-butyrate ester has excellent compatibility with oil-modified alkyl resins and is used in wood furniture coatings. 

Examples of such effects are the SubChem cases for the substitution of DEHP as a plasticiser in PVC by other phthalates (instead of switching over to underbody hard shells), optimisation of formulations in water-soluble cooling lubricants (instead of switching over to minimum quantity lubrication) or the use of water-based flexographic inks (instead of switching over to UV-drying printing inks). 

To conclude this discussion on zirconium, it is appropriate to look at the adhesion promotion effects of various zirconium compounds in flexographic and gravure ink printed on corona discharge-treated polyolefins and polyester. Flexographic and gravure inks are basically a pigment (often titanium dioxide) suspended in a polymer (normally called the binder) dissolved in a solvent. Actual commercial ink formulations are rather more complicated. These inks are either water-based when acrylic polymers and co-polymers are typically the binders, or solvent-based (usually ethanol-ethyl acetate mixtures) when the binder is typically nitrocellulose or cellulose acetate propionate. 

The choice of polymers and resins from which flexographic inks can be formulated is restricted by the need to dissolve them in combinations of alcohols,... 

Uses Acrylic for UV/EB-curable prods., water-dilutable screen and flexographic inks, spray-applied coatings for wood, monomer-free formulations... 

Inks and Resists, inks and resists comprise a relatively small but high value and growing market for epoxies and epoxy derivatives. In 2001, there were an estimated of 6800 MT of epoxies and epoxy derivatives used in this market to produce ink and resist formulations worth almost 400 million in the U.S. market. Epoxies are often used with other resins such as polyester acrylates and urethane acrylates in these formulations. The largest applications are lithographic and flexographic inks followed by electronic inks and resists. 

In the coatings manufacturing industry, methyl chloroform is used as a solvent in the formulation of protective and decorative coatings and as a thinner to reduce the viscosity of high-solid content coatings for spray application. The chemical also can be used in the production of rotogravure and flexographic inks. In addition to the above uses, methyl chloroform is used to dry clean leather and suede products and to clean motion picture film. 

Enceprint . [BASF AG] O anic and inorganic pigment formulations in nitrocellulose with plasticizers for pig-menting flexographic and gravure inks. 

Illustrated in Tab. 5-2 is a generic formulation for an aqueous flexographic or gravure ink. A printing ink formula is frequently modified to meet exact color reproduction specifications and/or a customer s changing performance requirement. 

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