Arcova EX Extrusion Lamination Inks

Extrusion lamination puts a very different demand on an ink than adhesive lamination. There is no cure time and no adhesive layer to bond through: molten polyethylene meets the printed surface directly at high temperature, and the ink film has to survive that contact and anchor to the extrudate.

Arcova EX uses a polyurethane binder selected for thermal stability and for anchorage to molten polymer, giving consistent bond values without the odour and delamination problems that follow when a lamination ink is pushed outside its thermal window.

• Polyurethane binder selected for thermal stability at extrudate temperature
• Good anchorage to molten polyethylene
• No cure window — laminate is ready for slitting without ageing
• Low odour retention in the finished laminate
• High colour strength at thin film weights
• Available as finished ink or concentrate system

Arcova EX is intended for reverse-printed structures finished by polyethylene extrusion lamination, including paper-poly and film-poly laminates for dry foods, detergent packs and industrial sachets. For extrusion lamination on PET, a primer layer is recommended.

Arcova EX is not suitable for:

• direct food-contact applications
• surface printing
• retort or pasteurisation processing

Each substrate and structure must be evaluated for adhesion and end-use properties before commercial printing.

The figures below describe the typical operating window for this range. Confirmed values for a specific shade or batch are issued with the Technical Data Sheet and Certificate of Analysis by our laboratory.

Arcova EX is available as a finished ink range and as a concentrate system of pigment bases and technology varnishes for in-house dispensing. A full range of heavy-metal-free organic and inorganic colours is offered, together with opaque whites and a reducing medium.

Special shades, brand colours and Pantone® matches are formulated against a reference sample. Please contact us for the current Arcova EX shade card and product codes.

Standard pigments are not intended for prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. For outdoor or high-exposure applications, specify high-light-fastness pigments at the time of ordering.

Cylinder and engraving. Cell depth and screen ruling set the transferred ink film weight and therefore colour density. Confirm the engraving specification with our laboratory for each new job: a deeper cell increases density and opacity, while fine process and vignette work needs a shallower, finer engraving.

Doctor blade. Set blade angle and pressure to the lightest setting that wipes the land area cleanly. Excess pressure scores the cylinder and accelerates blade wear without improving print.

Viscosity and solvent. Stir thoroughly until homogeneous before reducing, and reduce in small steps, re-checking after each addition. Dedicate one clean viscosity cup to each printing unit and record viscosity at the start of the run and at intervals. Always select the fastest solvent blend consistent with clean printing and the drying capacity of the press — retained slow solvent is the most common cause of blocking, odour and poor bond development downstream.

Drying. The ink dries by solvent evaporation. Set dryer air temperature and volume to give a dry, non-tacky film at the rewind without distorting thin films, and check the printed reel for retained solvent before release for conversion.

Classified as a highly flammable liquid. Observe suitable precautions to avoid ignition sources; warehouses must be approved and equipped accordingly. Store in tightly sealed original containers between 5 °C and 35 °C away from direct sunlight and heat; for optimum stability, 10 – 25 °C is recommended.

Waste disposal. Handle inks, coatings and printing residues in accordance with normal standards of industrial hygiene and good manufacturing practice, and dispose of them observing all applicable regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for specific handling advice.

Formulated in accordance with the current CEPE / EuPIA guidelines and the EuPIA Exclusion Policy for printing inks and related products. The formulations exclude:

• substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR categories 1A and 1B) or as acutely toxic under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP);
• pigments based on compounds of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium VI, lead, mercury and selenium;
• dyes, solvents, plasticisers and other materials listed in the Exclusion Policy. A copy of the supporting declaration is available on request.

All Arctic Materials products are designed with end-use safety built in and must not be mixed with products from other manufacturers.

Indirect food-contact applications. It is the responsibility of the food packer to ensure the packed food is safe, and of the converter and packer/filler to ensure that migration does not exceed applicable legal or industry limits. Under a mutual non-disclosure agreement, Arctic Materials will provide a Statement of Composition detailing any potentially migratable components in its products.

Technical Data Sheets, Safety Data Sheets, Statements of Composition and regulatory declarations for this range are issued by our technical department on request.

The Safety Data Sheet, Statement of Composition, EuPIA Exclusion Policy declaration and heavy-metal / regulatory declarations for this range are issued on request by our technical department, and the Statement of Composition is released under a mutual non-disclosure agreement.