UV inert curing
As with any industrial process, problems can also arise with UV curing due to improper handling.
One of the main problems is the so-called "oxygen inhibition".
However, the effect of oxygen inhibition only occurs with radically curing UV systems!
This term describes the property of the oxygen in the air with the reactive double bonds of the acrylates
to react after the formation of radicals and further polymerisation on the surface of the paint or printing ink
to prevent.
The consequence is that the paint or ink remains sticky or greasy on the surface, while deeper ones
layers have hardened. Properties such as good scratch resistance or chemical resistance are no more
to achieve.
The solution to this problem is UV curing under "inert" conditions, i.e. curing under inert gas and
thus with the exclusion of atmospheric oxygen. Inert gases are gases that contain other chemical components
not react in the paint system.
As an inert gas z. B. the following substances can be used:
- Noble gases such as argon, helium, neon, xenon or krypton
- Nitrogen
- carbon dioxide
- ...
In many areas of UV curing, a coating or printing ink can only be cured under inert conditions
be cured.
We offer for the implementation of tests on a laboratory scale or for small productions under inert conditions
a range of inert boxes and measuring equipment. You can find more information about our inert boxes at
following links: IB-K-SV, IB-K-SV-F, IB-K-SR and IB-K-SR-UF.
Information on our residual oxygen measuring cell can be found at IB-MZ-001.
The information listed on this page only provides basic knowledge,
which you can deepen by participating in one of our UV seminars.
We would be pleased to welcome you as a seminar participant!
