Arcresist CR
A chemical-resistant coating chosen when the deciding factor is the chemistry the pack will meet: solvents, surfactants, household cleaners, agrochemicals and cosmetic bases. It resists staining, softening and ink lift where the contents wet the printed surface.
Grade Arcresist CR | Range Speciality Coatings for Packaging | Technology Chemical-resistant clear coating, single-component or two-component cross-linking (resin with cross-linker), solvent-borne or water-based
Technical Data Sheet
Arcresist CR
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A chemical-resistant coating chosen when the deciding factor is the chemistry the pack will meet: solvents, surfactants, household cleaners, agrochemicals and cosmetic bases. It resists staining, softening and ink lift where the contents wet the printed surface.
2. Features
- Resists staining, softening and ink lift from solvents, surfactants, cleaners, agrochemicals and cosmetic bases
- The more resistant grades are two-component systems that cross-link on the web
- Selected against the actual product formulation and qualified with it
- Protects the external printed face only and is not offered for direct food contact
3. Recommended uses
External printed face of packs, labels and cartons for household cleaners, agrochemicals, personal care and cosmetic products, where spills at the filling head or slow contact in storage reach the print.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Chemical-resistant clear coating, single-component or two-component cross-linking (resin with cross-linker), solvent-borne or water-based | Formulation |
| Appearance | Clear liquid, drying to a clear film | visual |
| Carrier | Organic solvent blend or water, stated for the grade supplied and matched to the ink system | formulation |
| Non-volatile content | 25 to 45 per cent by weight | ISO 3251 |
| Supply viscosity, ISO flow cup 4 mm at 23 degrees Celsius | 30 to 60 s as supplied | ISO 2431 |
| Pot life of mixed two-component grades at 23 degrees Celsius | 4 to 8 hours; shorter in a warm press hall | ISO 9514 |
| Solvent resistance of the cured film | No break-through with the agreed solvent at the agreed number of double rubs after full cure | ASTM D5402 |
| Resistance to the filled product | No staining, softening or ink lift after spot or immersion contact with the product for the agreed time and temperature | customer or supplier protocol, spot or immersion test with the filled product |
| Development of full resistance, two-component grades | 3 to 7 days at 20 to 25 degrees Celsius after coating | customer or supplier protocol, solvent rub on conditioned samples |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Flexo or gravure coating station, or a separate coater |
| Surface preparation | Ink fully dried before coating. On polyolefin film, check wetting tension on the reel to be coated with the test solutions of ASTM D2578. Trial over the printed areas, not on the unprinted edge of the web |
| Mixing, two-component grades | Add the hardener to the base at the ratio stated on the label, stir thoroughly and use within the pot life; do not return mixed varnish to the base container |
| Dilution | Supplied at or near application strength; reduce only with the diluent specified by Arctic for the grade, check flow time to ISO 2431 at fixed intervals recorded against temperature, and confirm any correction against a measured coat weight |
| Applied dry coat weight | 2.0 to 4.0 g/m2; the property depends on having sufficient film present |
| Drying and cure | Dryer air typically 50 to 80 degrees Celsius, limited by the heat tolerance of the substrate, set so the web leaves dry, free of retained solvent and cool at the rewind; water-based grades need more drying energy and dwell than solvent-borne grades at the same coat weight. Allow the cure to develop before the pack is filled or tested |
| Clean-up | Clean anilox rolls, chambers and pans before mixed varnish sets in them, using the cleaning solvent specified for the grade |
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original containers, and the hardener of two-component grades sealed against moisture, kept closed in a cool, dry, covered area away from direct sunlight and sources of heat, within the temperature range given on the label; protect water-based grades from frost. Shelf life is stated on the label and on the 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.