Arccan EX 260 Overprint Varnish for Can Bodies
The finishing varnish over dry offset or lithographic decoration, setting gloss, slip and abrasion resistance through filling, conveying, pasteurisation and case packing. Slip is matched to the line rather than maximised.
Grade Arccan EX 260 | Range Metal Packaging Coatings | Technology Clear heat-cured polyester or acrylic varnish, solvent-borne or waterborne
Technical Data Sheet
Arccan EX 260
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
The finishing varnish over dry offset or lithographic decoration, setting the gloss level, the slip behaviour and the abrasion resistance the pack needs through filling, conveying, pasteurisation and case packing. Slip is the property that has to be matched to the line rather than maximised, because a can that is too mobile will not track and a can that is too grippy will mark on the conveyor. It carries a higher performance specification than the basecoat and is the last film the pack sees.
2. Features
- Applied wet on wet over uncured dry offset inks and cured with them
- Slip matched to the conveyor and case packer
- Gloss level set for the decoration
- Abrasion resistance for filling, conveying, pasteurisation and case packing
3. Recommended uses
Overprint varnish for decorated two-piece beverage and food can bodies, and for decorated tinplate and tin-free steel sheet.
Substrates. Decorated two-piece bodies and decorated tinplate or tin-free steel sheet.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Clear heat-cured polyester or acrylic varnish, solvent-borne or waterborne | Formulation |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale film over the decoration | Visual inspection |
| Dry film weight | 3 to 6 g/m2 | Gravimetric weight difference on sampled panels, film thickness to ISO 2808 |
| Specular gloss at 60 degrees | 80 to 95 GU, gloss finish | ISO 2813 |
| Slip, static coefficient of friction | 0.10 to 0.25, matched to line speed and case packing | Sled method to ISO 8295, run on coated panels |
| Set schedule, can bodies in a pin oven | Pass typically under 10 s at around 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature, with the cure completed in the internal bake oven | Peak metal temperature by traced thermocouple, customer or supplier protocol |
| Cure state, solvent rub | 50 or more MEK double rubs with no breakthrough to metal, read after the internal bake oven pass that completes the ink and varnish cure, or after stoving on sheet; a pin-oven-set film is not expected to reach this | ASTM D5402 |
| Adhesion, cross-cut, including intercoat adhesion to the inks and basecoat | Classification 0 to 1 | ISO 2409 |
| Flexibility, cupping and bending | 6 to 9 mm cupping indentation with no cracking or loss of adhesion | ISO 1520 cupping, ISO 1519 cylindrical mandrel bend |
| Abrasion and scuff resistance | Specified for the filling, conveying and distribution route | Customer or supplier protocol |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Varnish unit immediately after the decorator, applied wet on wet over uncured dry offset inks, or as a separate pass on sheet. |
| Surface preparation | Freshly decorated body, or decorated sheet, on a correctly set basecoat. |
| Dilution | Supplied at application viscosity for the route agreed. Adjust only with the diluent and within the limit stated by Arctic for the grade supplied, and recheck viscosity after any addition. |
| Applied film weight | Typically 3 to 6 g/m2 dry film. |
| Set and cure schedule | Bodies: ink and varnish set together in a pin oven pass typically under 10 s at around 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature, with the cure completed in the internal bake oven after the inside spray. Sheet: stoved in a wicket oven on a schedule set for the grade and line, within 10 to 12 min at 185 to 205 degrees C peak metal temperature. |
| Next step | Necking and flanging on cured film, then filling, conveying and case packing. |
Process. Applied wet on wet by the varnish unit immediately after the decorator, over uncured dry offset inks, at typically 3 to 6 g/m2 dry film, or as a separate pass on sheet. Ink and varnish are set together in a short pin oven pass, typically under 10 s on current ovens, at around 185 to 200 degrees C peak metal temperature, and the cure is completed in the internal bake oven after the inside spray. Necking and flanging follow cure.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed containers in a cool, dry, covered area away from heat sources and direct sunlight, protect waterborne grades from frost, and mix to a uniform condition before use. Shelf life is stated on the label and the Certificate of Analysis, and 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.