Aqueous Coatings & Foaming
Aqueous Coatings are Complex Blends Aqueous coatings are complex blends of materials with a typical formula consisting of a mixture of aqueous emulsions, blended with additives to improve properties and performance. These additives are commonly, small quantities of an amine, a plasticizer, waxes, a surfactant, coalescent aids, and anti-foam agents.
What Is It About Viscosity?
Understanding and Testing of Viscosity in Coatings Viscosity tells us how thick or thin a liquid is. Coating viscosity is the property of a fluid that causes it not to flow easily because of the resistance of its molecules. When we use coatings, we need to understand viscosity, because it is key to accurate application, […]
Using Humidity Control to Optimize Pressroom Productivity
OFFSET PRESSROOM AIR EVACUATION, WHY? The control of humidity is critical in offset printing in order to optimize productivity. It is well known that dry air causes paper to lose its moisture so that wrinkling, paper jams, and register issues are likely due to a pick-up in static electricity. A humidity level of 45 to […]
Blocking Or Sticking Of Aqueous Coated Surfaces
Blocking is a term given to describe sticking between two or more layers of coated substrate, which may be printed, or unprinted, and in roll, sheet, or package form.
Special Effects using Matte, Satin, and Gloss Aqueous Coatings
Aqueous Coatings create Special Effects Many different special effects may be obtained using aqueous coatings that are formulated to provide various levels of gloss. This range in gloss can extend from a very flat matte (reflecting only 15% of light) to very high gloss coatings that are able to reflect as high as 90% + […]
FDA Bans Chemicals in Food Packaging Coatings Update
Perfluoroalkyl Ethyl Toxicity Concerns in Food Packaging In January 2016, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule that prohibited the use of three specific perfluoroalkyl ethyl containing chemicals because of toxicity concerns. These chemicals had been in use to make paper and paperboard packaging resistant to oil and water for use […]
Specialty UV Coatings Protection and Chemical Resistance
Our world is an ever-changing one as evidenced recently by the appearance of Covid-19, unusual weather, and ever-evolving new technologies and products. These changes are presenting both opportunities and challenges for UV coatings with their ability to resist attack by chemicals, and various consumer and industrial products. Currently, we are advised to wear masks, wash […]
Adhesion Factors of Surface Energy & Surface Tension
A surface that is easy to wet is necessary when printing and coating in order to achieve good adhesion and appearance results. “Wetting” is the ability of a liquid to spread, contacting a solid surface. All liquids have a surface tension and all solids have a surface energy. Both are measured as a force applied over an area, expressed as a […]
Cold Foil Print Graphics Entice Shoppers
Cold Foiling growth and productivity improvements have come rapidly. Foiling is known for its ability to add eye-catching visual effects to all aspects of printing creating brand differentiation. Foiling has proven to be effective in attracting and persuading shoppers to choose one product over another.
Recycling and Sustainability in UV and EB Cured Packaging
Recycling and Sustainability in UV and EB Cured Packaging Paper and paper board products printed and coated with UV and EB curables are recyclable. They have always been recyclable into lower grades of paper known as “greyback” or “fillerboards.” These grades include materials used to produce folding cartons, corrugated, wallboard, tissue paper, roofing paper, and […]
