Ink system for cure under low-energy conditions

摘要

UV-curable ink formulations are provided that are capable of being cured under low-energy conditions, such as with a conventional mercury vapor lamp operating at half or less of the lamp's nominal wattage. Methods for forming a printed ink image on a substrate using the ink are also provided, which permit maintenance of relatively high line speeds while consuming less energy due to the use of lower-wattage lamp settings.

主权项

1. A UV-curable ink composition comprising:
a monomer system comprising at least one monofunctional monomer and at least one multifunctional monomer; an oligomer system comprising at least one urethane acrylate oligomer and at least one mercapto modified polyester acrylate; an acrylate polymer resin; a pigment; and an initiator system comprising at least one phosphine oxide photoinitiator, at least one ketone photoinitiator, at least one titanocene photoinitator and at least one amine co-initiator, wherein said UV-curable ink composition is capable of being cured by exposure to UV light emitted from a lamp operating at 100 W or less at a line speed of at least 50 ft/min.