Arccan EX 150 External White Basecoat
A pigmented white or tinted basecoat that carries the decoration on dry offset decorated two-piece bodies and on lithographic sheet for three-piece bodies. It is specified for opacity over a reflective substrate, whiteness retention through the later bakes and ink receptivity at press speed.
Grade Arccan EX 150 | Range Metal Packaging Coatings | Technology Pigmented heat-cured polyester or acrylic basecoat, solvent-borne or waterborne
Technical Data Sheet
Arccan EX 150
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A pigmented white or tinted basecoat that carries the decoration on two-piece bodies decorated by dry offset and on lithographic sheet for three-piece bodies. It is specified for opacity over a reflective substrate, for whiteness retention through the subsequent ink and varnish bakes, and for ink receptivity at press speed. It is the foundation of the external system, and its cure state governs intercoat adhesion for everything applied over it.
2. Features
- White, or tinted to the decoration
- Opacity over bright aluminium and steel
- Whiteness retention through the ink, varnish and internal bakes
- Ink receptivity at press speed
- Cure state set for intercoat adhesion of everything applied over it
3. Recommended uses
External base for decorated two-piece beverage and food can bodies on can decorating lines, and for lithographically printed tinplate and tin-free steel sheet for three-piece bodies.
Substrates. Aluminium and steel two-piece bodies, tinplate and tin-free steel sheet.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Pigmented heat-cured polyester or acrylic basecoat, solvent-borne or waterborne | Formulation |
| Colour and appearance | Opaque white, or tinted to the agreed standard; smooth, even film | Visual, against the agreed colour standard |
| Dry film weight | 4 to 8 g/m2 | Gravimetric weight difference on sampled panels, film thickness to ISO 2808 |
| Set schedule, can bodies in a pin oven | Pass typically under 10 s at around 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature, with the cure completed in the internal bake oven | Peak metal temperature by traced thermocouple, customer or supplier protocol |
| Stoving schedule, sheet in a wicket oven | 10 to 12 min at 190 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature | Peak metal temperature by thermocouple traced through the oven on a sample panel, customer or supplier protocol |
| Whiteness retention through the bake schedule | White grades: change in whiteness and yellowness index within the limit agreed for the decoration. Tinted grades: colour difference within the limit agreed against the colour standard | ASTM E313 for white grades, ASTM D2244 colour difference for tinted grades, measured before and after the full bake schedule |
| Cure state, solvent rub | 50 or more MEK double rubs with no breakthrough to metal, read on bodies after the internal bake oven pass and on sheet after stoving; a pin-oven-set film is not expected to reach this | ASTM D5402 |
| Adhesion, cross-cut, including intercoat adhesion to the coats applied over it | Classification 0 to 1 | ISO 2409 |
| Flexibility, cupping and bending | 6 to 9 mm cupping indentation with no cracking or loss of adhesion | ISO 1520 cupping, ISO 1519 cylindrical mandrel bend |
| Reverse impact, film in tension | 1.0 to 2.5 J with no cracking or loss of adhesion | ASTM D2794 reverse impact, ISO 6272-1 falling weight |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Basecoater on the can decorating line, downstream of the washer and dryer and ahead of the decorator, or roller coater on sheet. |
| Surface preparation | Washed and dried bodies from the can line, or clean, dry tinplate or tin-free steel sheet. |
| Dilution | Supplied at application viscosity for the route agreed. Adjust only with the diluent and within the limit stated by Arctic for the grade supplied, and recheck viscosity after any addition. |
| Applied film weight | Typically 4 to 8 g/m2 dry film, set for opacity over the substrate in use. |
| Set or stoving schedule | Bodies: pin oven pass typically under 10 s at around 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature, cure completed in the internal bake oven after the inside spray. Sheet: 10 to 12 min at 190 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature in a wicket oven. |
| Next step | Dry offset or lithographic decoration on the set or stoved basecoat, followed by the overprint or finishing varnish. |
Process. Applied at the basecoater on the can decorating line, downstream of the washer and dryer and ahead of the decorator, or by roller coater on sheet, typically 4 to 8 g/m2 dry film. Set in a short pin oven pass, typically under 10 s on current ovens, at around 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature, with the cure completed in the internal bake oven after the inside spray, or stoved 10 to 12 min at 190 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature in a wicket oven. Decoration follows on the set or stoved basecoat.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed containers in a cool, dry, covered area away from heat sources and direct sunlight, protect waterborne grades from frost, and mix to a uniform condition before use. Shelf life is stated on the label and the Certificate of Analysis, and handling guidance is given in the Safety Data Sheet, issued on request. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.