FII SERIES INKS

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Series inks are a range of IPA-reducible flexographic inks for printing polyethylene and polypropylene films. They are suitable for applications such as carrier bags, bread bags and deep-freeze packaging. FII series inks are characterised by high colour-strength, high gloss, clean-running and IPA reducibility.

SUBSTRATES:

• FII series inks have good adhesion on a number of treated polyolefins

• Polyethylene, low or high density, transparent or opaque.

• Two-side treated polyolefins. · Some cast, oriented, and co-extruded polypropylenes.

• The optimum treatment level on polyethylene is normally 38 to 42 dynes/cm. Below this level, adhesion will start to drop, and above 42 dynes/cm, lower water-resistance can occur.

PROPERTIES:

• Good adhesion, giving scuff and abrasion resistance.

• A high level of gloss and optimum colour strength at normal film-weights.

• A level of slip suited to most packaging machinery.

• FII series inks are not heat resistant, so should not be printed in the area of heat sealing, and are not suitable for lamination.

• FII series inks should not be mixed with inks supplied by any other ink supplier. The colours have a reasonable degree of lightfastness, but may not withstand extended exposure to direct sunlight. Where this property is required, it should be stated when ordering.

PRESS CONDITIONS:

FII series inks can be printed at most printing speeds without problems. Where fast print speeds are used, it is recommended that efficient drying units and chill rollers are utilised. High re-wind tensions are not recommended. Only resistant rollers and stereos are recommended because of the nature of the solvents in the unreduced inks. The stereos used, and their condition, and the press speed will all have an effect on the colour-strength and shade of the print.

END USE:

FII series inks are suitable for outside surface printing for food packaging. However, they are not suitable for reverse printing where this would give direct contact with foodstuffs. Please contact Coates Lorilleux if further advice is required.

REDUCERS:

The recommended reducer for FII series inks is pure Iso-propanol (IPA). Use of impure IPA or slower-evaporating solvents could lead to high levels of retained solvents, causing blocking. For optimum running viscosity, please contact Coates Lorilleux. Higher viscosity will mean a higher film-weight and could also lead to blocking problems.For reduction of strength, CL91FII can be used at any level.

HANDLING OF POLYAMIDE BASED FLEXOGRAPHIC INKS:

Polyamide based inks are widely available in Pakistan and overseas for high quality flexo printing onto Polythene and Polypropylene. Polyamide inks are often characterised by full reducibility with Iso Propyl Alcohol and offer the flexo printer many advantages over other types of technology. These inks are sold under the brand name of FI SERIES by Coates Lorilleux Pakistan. There are however certain adverse circumstances that can occur in Pakistan under which polyamide inks can degrade. This degradation is characterised by severe blocking and waxy odour of the printed material. Our extensive investigation of these problems both in Pakistan and overseas leads us to the following conclusions:

1. Degradation is caused by a combination of excessive heat during storage and transportation of printed material, and contamination of the ink with heavy metals. Under severe conditions the metal catalyses the oxidative degradation of the resin

2. Contamination with heavy metals is most often derived from the use of Lead Chrome based pigments, which are commonly used in the Pakistan market. Coates Lorilleux Pakistan DOES NOT USE LEAD CHROME PIGMENTS.

3. Contamination of printing ink free of Lead Chromes with even a small amount of ink containing Lead Chrome can cause degradation under the extreme conditions experienced in Pakistan.

4. Lead Chrome pigments are available only in yellow, orange and red shades and are used by other manufacturers, but not by Coates Lorilleux. Most degradation problems are encountered with yellow and red shades.

5. Contamination of ink with other metals from storage containers or machinery can also initiate degradation under severe circumstances.

6. Under the extreme summer temperatures experienced in Pakistan degradation of the print is possibly inevitable in some cases.

To avoid the possibility of degradation the following recommendations should be followed:

1. Where at all possible the exposure of the print to extreme temperatures should be avoided. Print should be stored in cooler areas out of direct sunlight.

2. FI inks should never be mixed with those of other manufacturers or of Coates Lorilleux.

3. Press returns should be carefully handled. The buckets of the same supplier should always be used for press returns.

4. Machine trays and trollies should be properly cleaned before using inks of other manufacturers.

5. Adequate driers should be employed and chill rollers utilised.

6. High ink filmweights should be avoided. By constant development and improvement Coates Lorilleux is working to minimise and eventually eliminate the possibility of degradation in polyamide inks.

WASH UP:

Isopropyl alcohol.

Note:

This information has been carefully compiled from experience gained in field conditions and detailed laboratory testing. However, the product's performance and it's suitability for the customer's purchase depend on the particular conditions of use and the material being printed. We recommend that customers satisfy themselves that each product meets their requirements in all respects before commencing a print run. Since we cannot anticipate or control the conditions under which our products are used, it is not possible to guarantee their performance. We would point out that the information provided here is only a recommendation, and may need to be altered to suit the conditions and efficiency of the equipment employed. Coates Lorilleux ink products are not designed for use in conjunction with those of any other ink-maker or similar supplier unless agreed to in writing.