The Use And Advantages of Polyurethane Resin In The Preparation Of Gravure Printing Ink
December 13, 2023
Polyurethane resin has found extensive applications in the preparation of gravure printing inks for plastic films, particularly for treated polypropylene (opp), polyester (pet), nylon (ny) and other plastic films. PU resin is suitable for plastic composite materials and photographic gravure printing inks. It exhibits excellent bonding and boiling water resistance when used for packaging that requires steaming, demonstrating its robust heat resistance.
The primary advantages of using polyurethane resin in the production of gravure printing inks for plastic films are as follows:
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Excellent Yellowing Resistance: The resin, which is primarily synthesized from aliphatic polyesters and aliphatic isocyanates, exhibits superior optical stability compared to aromatic polyurethanes. This translates to a film with excellent resistance to yellowing, ensuring consistent color quality over time.
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Strong Adhesion to Plastic Substrates: The molecular structure of the polyurethane resin contains various functional groups such as urethane, urea, ester, and ether bonds. These groups interact with the surface of PET, PA and other plastic substrates, forming hydrogen bonds and ensuring strong adhesion between the ink and the substrate.
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High Performance under Printing Conditions: The polyurethane resin exhibits excellent adaptability to printing processes, making it less prone to issues such as smudging or streaking that can affect print quality. It provides a robust and consistent printed image that maintains its quality even under challenging conditions.
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Environmental Friendliness: Polyurethane resin inks produce fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to traditional solvent-based inks, reducing environmental impact while also complying with evolving environmental regulations.
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Wide Application Range: Polyurethane inks are compatible with a variety of printing methods and are suitable for printing on various plastic substrates such as PET, BOPP, and NY. This versatility enables manufacturers to switch between substrates or printing methods without significant changes to the ink formula.
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Cost-Effective: While the initial cost of polyurethane inks may be higher than that of some traditional inks, their durability and performance characteristics often lead to cost savings in the long run by reducing the frequency of ink changes and enhancing overall print quality.
In conclusion, polyurethane resin has unique properties, including its excellent yellowing resistance, strong adhesion to plastic substrates, high performance under printing conditions, environmental friendliness, wide application range, and cost-effectiveness, make it an excellent choice for the preparation of gravure printing inks used in the production of plastic films. Its adaptability to evolving environmental regulations and the consistent quality it provides to printed images make it a valuable addition to the toolbox of any manufacturer printing on plastic substrates.