Arctube BC 120 Flexible White Basecoat for Collapsible Tubes
Arctube BC 120 is a roller-applied white basecoat for annealed aluminium tubes, also supplied tinted and in solid colours, that carries the dry offset decoration. It is specified for flexibility first, so that it follows the soft metal through squeezing, rolling up and folding at the crimp.
Grade Arctube BC 120 | Range Tube, Aerosol and Aluminium Bottle Coatings | Technology Pigmented thermosetting basecoat for roller application, flexible tube grade
Technical Data Sheet
Arctube BC 120
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A white basecoat for annealed aluminium tubes, also supplied tinted and in solid colours, that carries the dry offset decoration and sets the whiteness and opacity of the finished tube. It is specified for flexibility first: the tube is squeezed, rolled up and folded at the crimp, and the basecoat has to follow the soft metal without cracking or flaking. It also has to accept the inks at press speed and hold its whiteness through the final bake. Over-cured or applied too heavily, it cracks at the fold. Under-dried, it marks on the transfer pins and picks off on the printing blanket.
2. Features
- White, tinted and solid colour versions
- Sets the whiteness and opacity of the finished tube
- Accepts dry offset inks at press speed
- Holds its whiteness through the ink and varnish bake
- Flexibility checked on crimped and rolled tubes
3. Recommended uses
External basecoat for decorated aluminium collapsible tubes, carrying the dry offset print and setting the whiteness or colour and opacity of the finished tube.
Substrates. Annealed impact-extruded aluminium tubes, internally lacquered and cured, cylindrical or conical.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Pigmented thermosetting basecoat for roller application, flexible tube grade | Formulation |
| Colour | White; tinted and solid colours to an agreed standard | Visual, ISO 3668, and instrumental CIELAB colour difference, ISO 11664-4 |
| Non-volatile content | 50 to 70 per cent by weight | ISO 3251 |
| Supply viscosity | 200 to 3,000 mPa.s at 25 degrees C, according to grade and application unit | Rotational viscometer at a stated shear rate, ISO 3219-2 |
| Dry film thickness | 8 to 16 micrometres for white | ISO 2808 |
| Adhesion | Cross-cut classification 0 to 1 on flat aluminium panels; no basecoat removal by tape on the finished tube | ISO 2409 on panels; EN 15421 on finished tubes |
| Flexibility | No cracking or loss of adhesion on the conical mandrel on coated aluminium panel; no cracking or flaking on crimped and rolled tubes | ISO 6860; customer or supplier protocol on tubes |
| Cure state after the full bake sequence | 50 to more than 100 methyl ethyl ketone double rubs without breakthrough, according to grade | ASTM D5402 |
| Whiteness retention | Colour after the ink and varnish bake within the tolerance agreed against the standard | Instrumental CIELAB colour difference, ISO 11664-4 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Roller coating onto the tube carried on a mandrel |
| Surface preparation | Annealed tube, internally lacquered and cured |
| Viscosity adjustment | Set within 200 to 3,000 mPa.s at 25 degrees C for the roller unit, using only the thinner Arctic specifies for the grade |
| Dry film thickness | 8 to 16 micrometres for white; heavier films crack at the fold |
| Drying schedule | Typically 4 to 8 min at about 100 to 140 degrees C before printing, then cured through in the ink and varnish bake; under-dried film marks on the transfer pins and picks off on the blanket |
| Next step | Dry offset printing, then overvarnish such as Arctube OV 110 or OV 220 |
| Qualification | Flexibility on crimped and rolled tubes and a trial on the customer's line |
Process. Roller coated onto the tube carried on a mandrel, typically 8 to 16 micrometres dry film for white, then dried typically 4 to 8 min at about 100 to 140 degrees C before printing and cured through in the ink and varnish bake. Flexibility is checked on crimped and rolled tubes, and a trial on the customer’s line is required.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original, tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, covered area, protected from frost, direct sunlight and heat, and homogenise before use to take up any settled pigment. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis; 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.