Arcdeco FX 110 Cold-Activated Thermochromic Ink for Cans
A reversible thermochromic dry-offset ink for two-piece aluminium beverage cans that shows or changes colour when the can is chilled, at a threshold nominated between about 5 and 15 degrees C. It carries a microencapsulated leuco system, and the effect is judged only on cans that have seen the full heat history of the line.
Grade Arcdeco FX 110 | Range Metal Decorating Inks | Technology Microencapsulated leuco thermochromic system in a thermally cured dry-offset vehicle
Technical Data Sheet
Arcdeco FX 110
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A reversible thermochromic dry-offset ink for two-piece beverage cans that shows or changes colour when the can is chilled, at a threshold nominated between about 5 and 15 degrees C. It carries a microencapsulated leuco system, and the capsules have to survive the pin oven and the internal bake oven, so the bake schedule is agreed before the trial and the effect is judged only on cans that have seen the whole heat history. The cleared state keeps a residual tint, light fastness is low, and a single station may give less colour than the design needs. The paper and film counterpart is Arcveil TC 110.
2. Features
- Reversible colour change at a threshold nominated between about 5 and 15 degrees C
- Microencapsulated leuco system; bake schedule agreed before the trial so the capsules survive both ovens
- Printed at one or two decorator stations alongside the standard set
- The cleared state keeps a residual tint, and light fastness is lower than for standard colours
- Counterpart for paper and film: Arcveil TC 110
3. Recommended uses
Cold-activated indicator and promotional effects on chilled two-piece aluminium beverage cans over a white basecoat. Steel bodies and sheet-fed work are assessed separately.
Substrates. Aluminium two-piece bodies over a white basecoat, which is needed for the change to be legible. Steel bodies and sheet-fed work are assessed separately.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Microencapsulated leuco thermochromic system in a thermally cured dry-offset vehicle | Formulation |
| Form | Paste ink carrying thermochromic microcapsules; colour shows or changes below the nominated threshold, and the cleared state keeps a residual tint | Visual |
| Activation threshold | Nominated between about 5 and 15 degrees C, agreed per job | Customer or supplier protocol, on cans taken from the line after the full heat history |
| Tack | Stated per colour on a named instrument, speed and roller temperature, set against the customer's decorator or printer | ISO 12634, rotary tackmeter; readings compared only on the same instrument type, roller temperature and speed |
| Viscosity at 25 degrees C | 20 to 120 Pa.s, with yield value reported; stated per colour on the Certificate of Analysis | ISO 12644, falling rod viscometer |
| Fineness of grind | Set by the particle size of the thermochromic microcapsules, stated per grade | ISO 1524 |
| Dry ink film weight per station | About 1.0 to 2.0 g/m2, towards the upper part of the range, since a single station may give less colour than the design needs | Gravimetric weight difference on printed bodies or panels, in-house |
| Colour at the threshold after the heat history | Within the tolerance agreed against a signed standard, on cans that have been through the pin oven, the internal bake oven and, where the pack is pasteurised, the pasteurisation cycle | Measurement to ISO 13655 at a controlled can temperature, colour difference by CIEDE2000 to ISO/CIE 11664-6 |
| Light fastness | Blue wool 2 to 4 | ISO 12040, filtered xenon arc |
| Adhesion on the full coating stack | Cross-cut classification 0 to 1 | ISO 2409 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Dry offset at one or two decorator stations, printed with the standard set. |
| Surface preparation | Aluminium two-piece bodies over a white basecoat, which is needed for the change to be legible. |
| Dry ink film weight | About 1.0 to 2.0 g/m2 dry per station, confirmed at trial. |
| Overcoat | Overprint varnish, Arccan EX 260, applied wet over the ink. |
| Cure schedule | Pin-oven set at about 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature to the schedule of the overprint varnish, then the internal bake oven. The bake schedule is agreed before the trial. |
| Qualification | Colour at the threshold is checked on cans taken from the line after the full heat history, including pasteurisation where the pack is pasteurised, and a line trial is required. |
Process. Printed at one or two decorator stations with the standard set, overvarnished wet with Arccan EX 260 and cured through the pin oven and internal bake oven. Colour at the threshold is checked on cans taken from the line after the full heat history, and a line trial is required.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sun and sources of heat, to which the microencapsulated system is sensitive, and keep lids closed between uses. Shelf life is stated on the label and 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.