Arcdeco UV 240 LED-UV Offset Ink for Metal Sheet
An LED-UV curing lithographic ink series for tinplate, tin-free steel and aluminium sheet, with a photoinitiator package matched to 385 or 395 nm LED arrays. LED curing puts less heat into the sheet and switches on and off instantly, which suits thin aluminium and short runs.
Grade Arcdeco UV 240 | Range Metal Decorating Inks | Technology Free-radical LED-UV curing lithographic paste ink, acrylate oligomers and monomers with photoinitiators, no solvent or water carrier
Technical Data Sheet
Arcdeco UV 240
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
An LED-UV curing lithographic ink series for metal sheet, with a photoinitiator package matched to 385 or 395 nm LED arrays in place of the broad mercury spectrum. LED curing puts less heat into the sheet and switches on and off instantly, which suits thin aluminium and short runs, but the narrow band makes surface cure more sensitive to oxygen inhibition, so dense colours and heavy films need the dose confirmed. Run under the wrong wavelength or at too low a dose, it passes a thumb test at delivery and then fails on solvent rub, set-off or adhesion after the next bake. It pairs with Arccan SF 120 and an LED-curing or stoved finishing varnish.
2. Features
- Photoinitiator package matched to 385 or 395 nm LED arrays, with the wavelength stated per grade
- Low heat input to the sheet, suited to thin aluminium
- Instant on and off curing for short runs
- Dose confirmed for dense colours and heavy films, where oxygen inhibition limits surface cure
- Pairs with Arccan SF 120 and an LED-curing or stoved finishing varnish
3. Recommended uses
Decoration of metal sheet for general line, closure and promotional work with moderate forming, including thin aluminium and short runs.
Substrates. Tinplate, tin-free steel and aluminium sheet over a cured size or white base, for general line, closure and promotional work with moderate forming.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Free-radical LED-UV curing lithographic paste ink, acrylate oligomers and monomers with photoinitiators, no solvent or water carrier | Formulation |
| Form and colour range | Paste ink in process and spot colours, matched to an approved standard | Visual |
| Composition | Acrylate oligomers and monomers with a photoinitiator package for 385 or 395 nm LED arrays; no solvent or water carrier; formulated without PTFE wax | Supplier formulation record, declared not tested |
| Tack | Stated per colour on a named instrument, speed and roller temperature, set against the customer's press and graded down the colour sequence for wet trapping | 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 | 5 micrometres or finer | ISO 1524 |
| LED-UV cure dose | Set against the customer's line and coating stack at the LED wavelength stated for the grade, read on one named radiometer and band; readings from different radiometers are not compared | Radiometer matched to the LED wavelength, with cure confirmed by solvent rub and tape adhesion |
| Cure state of the ink and varnish stack | No breakthrough to the basecoat at the solvent and double-rub count agreed for the system | ASTM D5402, with the solvent and rub count agreed |
| Colour and adhesion through later bakes | Colour shift within the agreed tolerance, typically ΔE00 1.0 to 2.0, and cross-cut 0 to 1, after one to three further bakes at the line's schedule | Printed panels over-baked in-house, measured to ISO 13655 and ISO/CIE 11664-6, adhesion to ISO 2409 |
| Formability of the printed stack | No cracking or loss of adhesion at 6 to 9 mm cupping indentation or over the mandrel agreed for the gauge, for moderate forming | ISO 1520 cupping, comparative on can stock; ISO 1519 or ISO 6860 mandrel bend; then the customer's own formed parts |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Wet offset on a sheet-fed press with LED-UV arrays between units or at the end of the press, at the wavelength stated for the grade. |
| Surface preparation | Print over a cured size or white base, typically Arccan SF 120, clean and free of dust. |
| Press preparation | EPDM or mixed-mode rollers and blankets are needed, as for UV inks. Supplied ready for press. |
| Dry ink film weight | About 0.5 to 2.0 g/m2 dry per colour, set by colour, coverage and press and confirmed at trial. Dense colours and heavy films need the cure dose confirmed. |
| Cure check | Confirmed on the line by solvent rub and tape adhesion; a thumb test at delivery does not show a short dose, which appears later as rub failure, set-off or loss of adhesion after the next bake. |
| Overcoat | An LED-curing varnish, or a thermal varnish stoved in a wicket oven over the cured ink. |
| Qualification | A trial on the customer's own LED arrays is required before approval. |
Process. Wet offset with LED-UV arrays between units or at the end of the press, at the wavelength stated for the grade, followed by an LED-curing varnish or a stoved thermal varnish. Cure is confirmed on the line by solvent rub and tape adhesion, and a trial on the customer’s own LED arrays is required.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed opaque containers away from daylight, UV sources and heat, keep lids closed between uses, do not mix with conventional inks or wash-up, and do not return ink from the press to fresh stock. 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.