Optimization of UV Flexo INK Performance Using Statistical Design

摘要

UV flexographic printing is a relatively new technology which employs liquid UV curable ink compositions to produce high quality printing images. The rheology of UV flexo inks is rather different from conventional flexo inks. They are higher in viscosity and color strength than both solvent and water based flexo inks. High viscosity helps to improve print quality by raising definition of the dots, structural micro elements of the print image. At the same time, it may cause poor "lay" and pinholing on the solid areas of the print. The key factors affecting printability of the UV flexo ink include the pigment content and resin/diluent ratio. statistical experimental design is used to analyze the impact these factors may have on the UV flexo ink's printability and print quality, including density or opacity, golss, etc. An appropriate statistical model can be selected to customize an ink for the given set of requirements, i.e. cure speed, viscosity or print optical characteristics. This approach is illustrated by several examples of the impact analysis and optimization models used for formulation of both free radical and cationic UV flexo inks.