Available in stationary laboratory or "go anywhere" portable models, the ICA test takes only 3 minutes
INK CURETM ANALYZER
The CON-TROL-CURE¢ç Ink Cure AnalyzerTM is a computer-based test station
that charts comparative profiles of the degree of polymerization of crosslinked
materials. Available in stationary laboratory or "go anywhere"
portable models, the ICA test takes only 3 minutes and has a repeatability
level of +/-1.5%.
This equipment has the ability to:
¡Ü Measure lot-to-lot consistency
¡Ü Detect variance in substrate quality
¡Ü Measure variance in curing efficiency between standard
and new formulation
¡Ü Resolve cure problems
¡Ü Determine the best printing sequence to overcome
intercoat adhesion problems
¡Ü Identify production capabilities
The Ink Cure Analyzer¢â operates on the premise
that a solvent solution with the appropriate properties will invade a coating.
If the molecular chains are tightly crosslinked, little test solution can
invade that coating. Conversely, an undercured coating that is loosely crosslinked
will allow more solvent invasion so that more will become trapped.
The degree of cure is determined by the relationship between the amount
of solvent penetration vs. solvent retention. A specially designed detector
works in conjunction with a PC to plot a curve on a graph. Together they
create a Micro-Solvent Swell¢â index number which is generated with the data
at the conclusion of the test.
The test solution is made up of 2 solvents. The first is a low boiling point
solvent that penetrates into the ink coating in much the same way that paint
stripper penetrates into paint. The second, in minute quantity, is a high
boiling point solvent tagged with C14. This acts in counterpoint to the
low boiling point solvent.
The Ink Cure Analyzer¢â displays a graph that represents
molecule counts vs. time counts. In the first section of the test,
a curve depicts the evaporation of the solvent, showing higher counts
as more test solution reaches the detector.
The peak of the curve represents the completion of evaporation. The
second part of the test measures ink retention. All counts after this
point represent solvent which has permeated the ink. If the counts
at this time are high, and remain high for the remainder of the test,
the ink is not well-cured - uncured material has absorbed the test
solution.
The opposite reaction occurs when counts fall dramatically
from the peak. Low counts are interpreted as meaning that the ink is well-cured
and not much solvent has entered it. At the conclusion of the test, the
computer will calculate the slope of the curve after the peak. The slope
value is the MSS¢â number.
MSS¢â numbers become bases for comparative
analysis. Finished
goods that have passed previous tests for quality are used as
baselines to compare with undetermined results. Information can be
referenced for establishing standards for monitoring quality.
Through comparison, it is possible to set production goals over a
long period of time.
The test data provides ongoing quality assurance by supplying a continuous
record of the requirements needed to attain optimum product performance.
As soon as MSS¢â numbers begin to drop from established company standards,
management is empowered to make the decisions necessary to remedy
the curing problem promptly and efficiently.
Ink Cure Analyzer¢â solves curing problems including:
¡Ü Ink/Coatings Flaking
¡Ü Loss of Intercoat Adhesion
¡Ü Ink/Coatings Brittleness
¡Ü Undercure and Overcure Conditions
APPLICATIONS:
¡Ü Clear over product
¡Ü Hot foil over clear
¡Ü Ink printing on labels
¡Ü Clear over foil
¡Ü Ink on styrene bottle labels
¡Ü Rubber-based adhesives on laminated PCBs
FEATURES:
¡Ü Operates with PC
¡Ü Measures crosslink density on actual product
¡Ü Fast, consistent, precise, and repeatable
¡Ü Software charts curing history in graph form