Arctube TL 110 General-Purpose Internal Tube Lacquer
Arctube TL 110 is a single-coat epoxy-phenolic internal lacquer for annealed aluminium collapsible tubes. It cures to a gold-toned film that has to stay continuous when the tube is squeezed, rolled up and folded at the crimp.
Grade Arctube TL 110 | Range Tube, Aerosol and Aluminium Bottle Coatings | Technology Solvent-borne epoxy-phenolic, epoxy resin based on bisphenol A
Technical Data Sheet
Arctube TL 110
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A single-coat epoxy-phenolic internal lacquer for annealed aluminium tubes carrying pharmaceutical ointments and creams, cosmetic creams, toothpaste, and neutral adhesives and sealants. It cures to a gold-toned film that has to stay continuous when the tube is squeezed, rolled up and folded at the crimp, and that carries the latex band at the open end. Under-cure leaves a soft film that can take up odour or give up extractables to the fill. Over-cure or excess film weight makes it brittle, so it cracks at the fold and fails porosity after flexing. Its epoxy resin is based on bisphenol A, so this grade is not offered for food-contact tubes.
2. Features
- Single coat, sprayed by lance into the rotating tube
- Gold-toned cured film that follows the tube through squeezing, rolling up and folding at the crimp
- Carries the latex band applied at the open end
- Porosity read before and after flattening
- Not offered for food-contact tubes, as its epoxy resin is based on bisphenol A
3. Recommended uses
Internal protection of aluminium tubes for pharmaceutical ointments and creams, cosmetic creams, toothpaste, and neutral adhesives and sealants. Alkaline hair colourants, depilatories and solvent-rich adhesives call for the two-coat Arctube TL 260.
Substrates. Impact-extruded collapsible tubes in 99.5 to 99.7 per cent aluminium, annealed before lacquering, cylindrical or conical, with open or membrane nozzles.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Solvent-borne epoxy-phenolic, epoxy resin based on bisphenol A | Formulation |
| Cured film appearance | Gold-toned, continuous film | Visual |
| Carrier | Organic solvent blend | Not applicable |
| Non-volatile content | 25 to 45 per cent by weight | ISO 3251 |
| Supply viscosity | 30 to 60 s, 4 mm flow cup at 23 degrees C, or the 3 mm cup for thinner grades | ISO 2431 |
| Dry film, single coat | 5 to 9 micrometres, roughly 6 to 12 g/m2 | EN 13048 on finished tubes |
| Cure state | Pass in the acetone polymerisation test | EN 15766 on finished tubes |
| Adhesion | Cross-cut classification 0 to 1 on flat aluminium panels; no lacquer removal by tape on the finished tube | ISO 2409 on panels; EN 15421 on finished tubes |
| Porosity of the internal film | Current reading within the acceptance limit agreed for the tube size at qualification | EN 15384-1 or EN 15384-2 |
| Flexibility | Porosity after flattening, rolling up and folding within the customer's limit | EN 15384-1 or EN 15384-2, with the flexing to the customer's protocol |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Lance spray into the rotating tube, single coat, covering shoulder, nozzle area and body |
| Surface preparation | Annealed, clean impact-extruded tube; lacquer applied after the anneal |
| Viscosity adjustment | Adjusted at the line within 30 to 60 s (ISO 2431 flow cup, 23 degrees C) to suit the spray equipment, using only the thinner Arctic specifies for the grade |
| Dry film | 5 to 9 micrometres |
| Cure schedule | Typically 3 to 10 min at about 220 to 280 degrees C metal temperature in the internal curing oven, set against the customer's oven with a traced temperature logger. Over-cure or excess film weight makes the film brittle at the fold |
| Next step | External basecoat such as Arctube BC 120; the latex band or heat-seal lacquer applied later at the open end must be compatible with the cured lacquer |
| Qualification | Porosity before and after flattening, pack test with the actual fill, and a trial on the customer's line |
Process. Sprayed by lance into the rotating tube, typically 5 to 9 micrometres dry film, then cured typically 3 to 10 min at about 220 to 280 degrees C metal temperature in the internal curing oven, set against the customer’s oven. Porosity is read to EN 15384-1 or EN 15384-2, and again after flattening to the customer’s protocol, and a trial on the customer’s line is required.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original, tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, covered area, protected from frost, direct sunlight and heat, and keep containers closed between uses to limit solvent loss. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis; 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.