Substrates

• Pre-coated metal substrates
  Coatings include:
  • Enamel
  • Polyester
  • Acrylic
  • Vinyl
  • Epoxy

Substrate recommendations are based on commonly available materials intended for the ink's specific market when the inks are processed according to this technical data. While technical information and advice on the use of this product is provided in good faith, the User bears sole responsibility for selecting the appropriate product for their end-use requirements. Reference the 'Quality Statement' at the end of this document.

User Information

Mesh

230 - 305 tpi (90 - 120 tpcm) monofilament polyester mesh for most applications.

Stencil

Use direct emulsions or capillary films which are solvent resistant.

Squeegee

70 - 80 durometer polyurethane squeegee.

Coverage

Estimated 1,200 - 1,800 square feet (111 - 167 square meters) per gallon depending upon ink deposit. Reference www.nazdar.com for examples of coverage calculations.

Printing

When using 8900 Series add only enough ink to the screen to be able to print for 5-10 minutes. Add additional ink in small increments throughout the print run to maintain screen stability. 8900 Series may need to be thinned to achieve proper ink flow (see additives section). Thoroughly mix the ink prior to printing. Improper mixing can lead to inconsistent color and ink performance.

Maintain ink temperature at 65°-90°F (18°-32°C) for optimum print and drying performance. Lower temperatures increase the ink viscosity, impairing flow and increasing film thickness. Elevated temperatures lower the ink viscosity, reducing print definition and film thickness.

Pretest to determine optimum printing parameters for a particular set of ink, substrate, screen, press, and drying variables/conditions.

Nazdar does not recommend inter-mixing of 8900 Series with other inks besides the 8900 Series.

Drying

Once the metal substrate has reached the required temperature listed in the schedule below, maintain that temperature for the appropriate time per the schedule. This will vary according to the thickness of the substrate and the specific drying equipment used. Proper cure is achieved when the ink will resist 30-50 double rubs using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), showing no loss of gloss or degradation to the printed ink. Slight color transfer to the rubbing cloth or cotton swab is acceptable as long as the print surface retains its initial characteristics.

Clears / Varnishes

Mixing Clear: Use 8926 Mixing Clear to reduce the density of colors or as a clear base for specialty additives such as Metallics.

Overprint Clear: Use 8927 Overprint Clear to provide added surface protection, chemical resistance and increase durability.

Common Performance Additives

8900 Series May require the addition of Thinner for proper flow characteristics. When required, any additives should be thoroughly mixed into the ink before each use. Prior to production, test any additive adjustment to the ink. Inks containing additives should not be mixed with other inks.

Example for additives - Ink at 100g with 8% of an additive is calculated as:

100g ink + 8g additive = 108g total

Reducer: Use 9050 Retarder Thinner to reduce the viscosity of these inks. Add up to 15% by weight.

Gloss / Flattening Powders / Improved Slip: Use 8948 Flattening Paste to reduce gloss. Add up to 20%.

Cleanup

Screen Wash (Prior to Reclaim): Use IMS201 Premium Graphic Screen Wash, IMS203 Economy Graphic Screen Wash, or IMS206 Graphic Auto Screen Wash.

Press Wash (On Press): Use IMS301 Premium Graphic Press Wash.

Storage / Shelf Life

Store closed containers at temperatures between 65°-90°F (18°-32°C). Storing products outside of these recommendations may shorten their shelf life. Ink taken from the press should not be returned to the original container; store separately to avoid contaminating unused ink.

Standard 8900 Series items are useable for a period of at least 48 months from the date of manufacture. To obtain the official shelf life letter, Contact Nazdar Technical Service at [email protected] or see contact listing at the end of this document.

General Information

Ink Handling

All personnel mixing and handling these products must wear gloves and eye protection. Clean up spills immediately. If ink does come in contact with skin, wipe ink off with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth (do not use solvent or thinner). Wash the affected area with soap and water. Consult the applicable Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) for further instructions and warnings.

For assistance on a wide range of important regulatory issues, consult the following Regulatory Compliance Department link at http://www.nazdar.com or contact Nazdar Ink Technologies - World Headquarters (see contact listing at the end of this document).

Adhesion Testing

Once ink cools:

• Touch of ink surface - the ink surface should be smooth.
• Thumb twist - the ink surface should not mar or smudge.
• Scratch surface - the ink surface should resist scratching.
• Cross hatch tape test - per the ASTM D-3359 method, use a cross hatch tool or a sharp knife to cut through ink film only; then apply 3M #600 clear tape on cut area, rub down, and rip off at a 180 degree angle. Ink should only come off in actual cut areas.

Manufacturer's Product Offering

Based on information from our raw material suppliers, these ink products are formulated to contain less than 0.06% lead. If exact heavy metal content is required, independent lab analysis is recommended.

Standard Printing Colors

Standard Printing Colors have excellent opacity and flow characteristics.

"LF" Item Numbers

Colors with an item number containing "LF" are lead-free alternatives that replaced a lead containing color. All Nazdar manufactured inks are lead-free.

Special Effect Pigments

When inks are to be printed with a special effect color, all ink layers must be evaluated for intercoat adhesion before proceeding with the production run. Pigments may settle in the container; prior to printing, thoroughly mix the ink.

The following special effect pigments may be added to 8900 Series. Contact Nazdar for the item number(s) and availability of special effect products. Technical Data Sheets for each of the following special effect pigments can be found at www.nazdar.com.

Metallic Silver (aluminum): Add up to 8% by weight. Note

Pearlescent / Interference: Add up to 20% by weight.