회사 소식 Why can’t the UV ink enhancer exceed 3%?

Why can’t the UV ink enhancer exceed 3%?

"A panacea"? The truth about UV ink enhancers. First, we need to clarify what exactly "UV ink enhancer" is. In the industry, this is not a standard chemical term, but a very broad trade name. It usually refers to a composite additive that is promoted as a "one-dose solution" for all problems. When formulators encounter difficult problems such as poor adhesion, insufficient scratch resistance, low gloss, and poor leveling, additive suppliers will recommend this type of product. The core ingredients of these enhancers are often a combination of several substances, which may include:

• Monomers/oligomers with special functional groups: For example, acrylates containing phosphate groups are used to enhance adhesion to metal or inorganic substrates.
• Adhesion promoters: Such as silane coupling agents, titanates, etc., which are like "double-sided tape", reacting with inorganic substrates (such as glass, metal) on one end and cross-linking with the UV resin system on the other end.
• Surface control additives: Contains leveling agents, wetting agents, etc., which are used to reduce the surface tension of the system, improve the spreading on the substrate, and prevent defects such as shrinkage holes and orange peel.
• Other functional additives: May also include hardeners, toughening agents, matting agents, etc., to specifically improve a certain physical property.

It is undeniable that in many cases, adding an appropriate amount of such enhancers can indeed have an immediate effect and quickly solve the problem. For engineers facing the dual pressures of project cycle and cost, this is undoubtedly of great appeal.

However, the truth is: any "enhancement" that deviates from the balanced formulation system is, in essence, potentially destructive. The UV curing system is a delicately balanced chemical system, with the primary resin, reactive diluent, photoinitiator, and additives each performing their respective functions, transforming from liquid to solid in milliseconds under the energy of UV light. As an "alien species," the introduction of an enhancer inevitably disrupts this system's inherent equilibrium.

When the amount of enhancer added, especially in composite products with complex ingredients and unclear mechanisms of action, exceeds the empirical threshold of 3%, a series of negative chain reactions begin to manifest.

• Internal friction and imbalance in the curing system
• Competition for light energy leads to incomplete curing
• Destruction of the crosslinking network leads to deterioration of physical properties

The industry advice of "car" is more than just a simple number; it reflects a reverence for UV curing chemistry and a commitment to consistent product quality.