With the continuous development of printing technology, UV ink, as a new type of printing material, has been widely applied in various printing fields. UV ink is mainly divided into water-based UV ink and oil-based UV ink based on the different solvent components. Although they are similar in the principle of photo-curing, due to the different solvent matrices, there are significant differences in performance, application fields and environmental characteristics between the two.
1. Water-based UV ink
Water-based UV ink is a type of light-curable ink that uses water as the solvent. Its main feature is that after being exposed to ultraviolet light, the photoinitiator in the ink is activated, triggering a polymerization reaction, which causes the ink to solidify rapidly. Since its base material is mainly water, water-based UV ink usually contains fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thus having better environmental performance. It has a lower odor and lower pollution to the environment.
Main features:
Low VOC emissions: The water-based UV ink has a high water content and less solvent evaporation, resulting in significantly lower VOC emissions compared to oil-based inks, meeting environmental protection requirements.
Safety: Due to the chemical composition of water-based ink not containing harmful solvents or organic chemicals, it has a higher level of safety and has a relatively minor impact on operators and the environment.
Scope of application: Water-based UV ink is mainly used for printing on paper, plastic, film and other materials. It is particularly suitable for markets and products with high environmental protection requirements.
Drying speed: The drying speed of water-based UV ink is usually quite fast. After being exposed to ultraviolet light, it can be cured immediately, thereby enhancing production efficiency.
Disadvantages:
The durability and adhesion of water-based UV ink are usually not as good as those of oil-based UV ink. Especially when dealing with materials with a smooth surface, there may be cases of peeling or poor adhesion.
The adhesion to materials with low surface energy is poor, and additional surface treatment may be required.
II. Oily UV Ink
Oil-based UV ink is a type of light-curable ink that uses oil as the solvent. Compared to water-based ink, oil-based ink has stronger adhesion and durability, and can be applied on a wider range of printing materials, including plastics, metals, glass, and other surfaces. The main components of oil-based UV ink are composed of acrylic esters, photoinitiators, pigments, and other chemical substances. Under the irradiation of ultraviolet light, oil-based ink will quickly solidify.
Main features:
Excellent adhesion and durability: The oil-based UV ink has strong adhesion and can adapt to various substrates. It performs particularly well on smooth or low surface energy materials.
Better wear resistance: Due to the strong nature of the oily components in the oil-based ink, the cured printing layer usually exhibits better resistance to scratching, corrosion, etc.
Widely applicable fields: Oil-based UV ink is suitable for printing on non-absorbent materials such as plastics, metals, and glass. It is the preferred ink for some specific industries (such as packaging, electronic components, automotive parts, etc.).
Long-term storage stability: The oil-based ink is relatively stable during storage and has a longer shelf life.
Disadvantages:
High VOC emissions: The solvent components in oil-based UV inks will release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may have adverse effects on the environment and health. Especially during use and curing processes, stronger ventilation measures may be required.
Strong odor: Oil-based ink releases a certain odor during the curing process, which may affect the working environment of the printing workshop.
Curing speed is slower: Compared to water-based UV ink, oil-based ink may have a slightly slower curing speed, especially in low-temperature or low-humidity environments.
Water-based and oil-based UV inks have their own advantages and disadvantages. Water-based UV ink, with its lower VOC emissions and environmental-friendly characteristics, is suitable for industries with high environmental protection requirements, such as food packaging and environmental printing. While oil-based UV ink, with its strong adhesion and durability, has an irreplaceable advantage in fields requiring high wear resistance and strong adhesion, such as electronic components and automotive parts. When choosing UV ink, multiple factors such as specific application requirements, material types, and environmental protection requirements need to be comprehensively considered.