By Jennifer Heathcote, business development manager, GEW, Inc. Optically transparent UV-cured hardcoats, topcoats, overcoats and clearcoats are utilized in numerous plastics decorating processes. As the descriptors suggest, these coatings tend to be clear but also can be tinted or formulated with other visual additives, are applied to the outermost surface of manufactured … [Read more...] about UV LED Curing for Surface Hardcoats
Photoinitiated Addition Cure Silicone Release Coatings
Editor’s Note: The author is no longer with Momentive Performance Materials. For questions, email rickeckberg@nc.rr.com. By Richard P. Eckberg, Momentive Performance Materials Silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) polymers are unique materials that are chemically inert and of low polarity that remain fluid at temperatures as low as -120° C and retain useful properties at … [Read more...] about Photoinitiated Addition Cure Silicone Release Coatings
FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Celebrate UV Curing
UV+EB Technology The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) recognized UV-curing decorative applications in print and packaging over nine categories during its 28th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards program has grown as entries are submitted from around the world by print finishers and binders that want to compete against the best in … [Read more...] about FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Celebrate UV Curing
Energy Density Matters…and This is Why
By Mike Higgins, director of sales – Americas, Phoseon Technology Now that UV LED has been established as a viable alternative to traditional curing methods, more converters are researching ways to benefit from this emerging technology. A quick Google search will reveal a ton of information regarding peak irradiance of curing systems. In flexographic printing, peak … [Read more...] about Energy Density Matters…and This is Why
Novel Approaches to Improve Scratch and Abrasion Resistance in UV Coatings
By Bob Lin, Marco Heuer, Roger Reinartz, Aline Skotarczak and Maria Nargiello, Evonik Corporation As UV coatings are applied to a broader range of substrates, the demand for scratch and abrasion resistance continues to grow. This is especially true with thin film applications over flexible, semi-porous or hard substrates with varying types of gloss or haptic properties. Damage … [Read more...] about Novel Approaches to Improve Scratch and Abrasion Resistance in UV Coatings