Substrates

• Pressure sensitive vinyl
• Coated papers
• Coated card stock
• Some plastics

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

Application

RA2500 is designed for roller coat liquid lamination applications.

Printing

RA2500 is formulated to be ready for use. Thoroughly mix the ink prior to applying. Improper mixing can lead to inconsistent flow and ink performance.

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

Pretest to determine optimum printing parameters for a particular set of ink, substrate, curing variables/conditions. .

The ink can be affected by stray UV light. Be aware of skylights, windows and overhead lights curing the ink on the roller; light filters are recommended. Leaving a container uncovered may result in the ink's surface forming a "skin", caused by reaction with ambient lighting. Keep containers covered.

RA2500 typically prints with a satin finish off roller coaters that achieve less than 8-9 microns of dried film thickness. RA2500 can print with a flat/matte finish off roller coaters that can achieve 10+ microns of dried film thickness.

Nazdar does not recommend inter-mixing of RA2500 with other inks, except RA2000 UV POP Gloss RC Clear. RA2000 and RA2500 may be inter-mixed to create a custom gloss level.

It is recommended to achieve a cured print film thickness of 10+ microns for optimum outdoor durability (see Weathering).

Cure Parameters

RA2500 cures when exposed to a single medium pressure mercury vapor lamp emitting millijoules (mJ) and milliwatts (mW) of:

100-120 mJ/cm² @ 600+ mW/cm² UVA

These guidelines are intended only as a starting point for determining cure parameters, which must be determined under actual production conditions. "Undercuring" the ink may result in poor adhesion, lower block resistance, reduced durability, and higher residual odor. "Overcuring" the ink may reduce the flexibility of the printed part.

To increase mJ levels, slow down the belt speed or scan speed. To increase mW levels, increase the wattage setting of the UV reactor. To optimize mJ and mW output, maintain the bulb and reflector, and ensure proper focus to the substrate.

These guidelines are representative of measurements taken using an EIT® UVICURE® Plus radiometer measuring the UVA bandwidth (320-390 nm). To obtain accurate mW readings with the UVICURE® Plus, reduce the belt speed to less than 40 ft/min.

Cleanup

For best results use only cleaning products recommended by equipment suppliers suitable for use on the urethane rollers.

Storage / Shelf Life

Store closed containers at temperatures between 65°-78°F (18°-25°C). Storing RA2500 outside of these recommendations may shorten its shelf life. Ink taken from the press should not be returned to the original container; store separately to avoid contaminating unused ink.

Standard RA2500 items supplied 1 gallon (4 kilo) containers or smaller are useable for a period of at least 24 months from the date of manufacture. Ink packaged in 5 gallon or greater (20 kilo or greater) containers may have a significantly reduced shelf life. For more detail pertaining to the shelf life of Nazdar's ink products, contact Nazdar Technical Service at [email protected] or see contact listing at the end of this document.

General Information

Ink Handling

Wear gloves and barrier cream to prevent direct skin contact. Safety glasses are suggested in areas where ink may be splashed. If ink does come in contact with skin, wipe ink off with a clean, dry cloth (do not use solvent or reducer). Wash the affected area with soap and water. Consult the applicable Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) for further instructions and warnings.

RA2500 is a one-part, 100% solids UV-curable ink and does not contain N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (trade name V-Pyrol®).

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

Even when recommended UV energy output levels are achieved, it is imperative to check the degree of cure on a cooled down print:

• 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.

Full adhesion characteristics at proper cure levels are demonstrated within 4 hours.

Weathering / Outdoor Durability

RA2000 UV POP Liquid Lamination Clear is designed for outdoor resistance to yellowing:

Color permanence is mainly dependent on the quality of inks used to print the graphics. When applied to durable substrates at a cured film thickness of 10+ microns, RA2500 is anticipated to provide 12-18 months of service life to printed graphics mounted vertically in Central USA.

Some loss of gloss over this period should be expected.

Due to the wide variance of laydowns and film thicknesses observed with most roller coaters, no warranty is offered or supplied for these applications by Nazdar.

Outdoor durability cannot be specified exactly. Slight color change and loss of gloss should be expected. Variables affecting a printed part's durability include:

• Ink film thickness and degree of curing
• Color formulation:
• Durability rating of the printed colors.
• Substrate type and age
• Mounting angle and directional orientation
• Geographical location
• Degree of air pollution
• Excessive abrasion

Manufacturer's Product Offering

Based on information from our raw material suppliers, RA2500 is formulated to contain less than 0.06% lead. If exact heavy metal content is required, independent lab analysis is recommended.

Packaging / Availability

Contact your Nazdar distributor for product availability and offering.

RA2500 is packaged in gallon containers. 5 gallon containers are available upon request.