Arcguard AS
An anti-scratch coating for surfaces that meet a single hard point, such as a guide rail, a knife edge, a staple or grit in a carton. It combines a harder, more cross-linked surface with enough lubricity for the point to glide over the film rather than cut into it.
Grade Arcguard AS | Range Speciality Coatings for Packaging | Technology Cross-linking clear coating with lubricity additives, solvent-borne or water-based
Technical Data Sheet
Arcguard AS
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
An anti-scratch coating for surfaces that meet a single hard point, such as a guide rail, a knife edge, a staple or grit in a carton. It combines a harder, more cross-linked surface with enough lubricity for the point to glide over the film rather than cut into it.
2. Features
- Harder, cross-linked surface with added lubricity
- Applied over solvent and water-based inks on film, metallised substrates and paperboard
- Hardness balanced against flexibility for creasing, folding and converting
- Scratch resistance depends on full cure, and the cure window is confirmed on the press and ink system
- Where it accompanies a tactile finish, the layer is agreed with Arctic so that it does not raise the sheen or remove the feel
3. Recommended uses
Printed film, metallised film and paperboard packs that meet guide rails, knife edges, staples or grit in converting, case packing and transit.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Cross-linking clear coating with lubricity additives, solvent-borne or water-based | Formulation |
| Appearance | Clear liquid, drying to a clear, hard film | visual |
| Carrier | Organic solvent blend or water, stated for the grade supplied and matched to the ink system | formulation |
| Non-volatile content | 25 to 45 per cent by weight | ISO 3251 |
| Supply viscosity, ISO flow cup 4 mm at 23 degrees Celsius | 30 to 60 s as supplied | ISO 2431 |
| Scratch resistance | No visible cut line at the agreed stylus load, tested after full cure | customer or supplier protocol, loaded stylus on the cured, conditioned coated stock |
| Rub resistance | Stroke count and load agreed per pack; tested on the intended substrate after drying and conditioning | ASTM D5264 |
| Adhesion over ink on film | No coating or ink removed in the tape test on the printed film | ASTM F2252 |
| Flexibility over a crease | No micro-cracking along the score or crease after folding | customer or supplier protocol, fold over the production crease |
| Development of full scratch resistance | 1 to 3 days at 20 to 25 degrees Celsius after coating | customer or supplier protocol, conditioned samples |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Flexo or gravure coating station, or a separate coater; heavier films run more cleanly offline |
| Surface preparation | Ink fully dried before coating. On polyolefin film, check wetting tension on the reel to be coated with the test solutions of ASTM D2578. Trial over the printed areas, not on the unprinted edge of the web |
| Dilution | Supplied at or near application strength; reduce only with the diluent specified by Arctic for the grade, check flow time to ISO 2431 at fixed intervals recorded against temperature, and confirm any correction against a measured coat weight |
| Applied dry coat weight | 2.0 to 4.0 g/m2; a thin film may not carry enough coating for the property |
| Drying and cure | Dryer air typically 50 to 80 degrees Celsius, limited by the heat tolerance of the substrate, set so the web leaves dry, free of retained solvent and cool at the rewind; water-based grades need more drying energy and dwell than solvent-borne grades at the same coat weight. The cure window is confirmed against the press and ink system before the grade is specified |
| Next step | Test scratch resistance only on fully cured, conditioned samples, not on stock taken straight from the rewind |
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original containers, kept closed, in a cool, dry, covered area away from direct sunlight and sources of heat, within the temperature range given on the label, and protect water-based grades from frost. Shelf life is stated on the label and on the Certificate of Analysis. 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.