UV curable inks are crucial for digital decoration, providing functional and decorative coatings on a variety of substrates such as paper, glass, metal, and wood. To ensure optimal performance, these inks must meet key requirements such as viscosity, surface tension, curing speed, and thermal stability. One of the main challenges in developing these inks is ensuring the proper dispersion of pigments, especially inorganic pigments, which are necessary for durability against thermal, UV, and water degradation. However, due to their high mass density, inorganic pigments are more prone to sedimentation.
UBEDISP hyperdispersants offer an effective solution to this issue. These dispersants are designed to reduce particle interaction, ensuring efficient pigment dispersion and stabilization, particularly for high-performance UV inks. Their unique polymer-based design stabilizes pigments and prevents problems such as re-agglomeration during the milling process.
The performance of UBEDISP hyperdispersants was demonstrated through a case study comparing different UBEDISP grades in terms of milling time, viscosity, and dispersion stability. The results showed that the correct match between dispersant polarity and the ink system significantly improved milling efficiency and pigment stability. Dispersants like E103, designed for high-polarity systems, reduced milling time and achieved lower viscosities, which is crucial for the performance of UV inks in digital printing applications.
By optimizing pigment dispersion and stability, UBEDISP hyperdispersants enhance color strength, jetting performance, and the shelf life of UV curable inks, making them more suitable for demanding applications.
Download the full document to learn more about how UBEDISP hyperdispersants can enhance your ink formulations.
