UV-JE-2 UV-Curable Metal Screen Printing Ink
1. Overview & Applications
The UV-JE-2 Series is a premium UV-curable screen printing ink specifically formulated for metallic substrates. It delivers a bright, smooth ink layer with exceptional adhesion and chemical resistance.
Applicable Substrates: Aluminum plates, stainless steel, and other metal materials.
Primary Applications: Metal nameplates, signages, and metal hardware accessories.
Note on Weatherability: UV-JE-2 is designed for indoor applications. It is not recommended for prolonged outdoor exposure due to the risk of fading. For outdoor metal products requiring 3+ years of colorfastness, please use our UV-JE-NS Series.
2. Physical & Chemical Performance
| Gloss Finish | High Gloss |
|---|---|
| Curing Conditions | UV Curing: 1-2 high-pressure mercury lamps (≥4kW). Exposure time: 1-3 seconds. |
| Adhesion & Final Hardness | Maximum adhesion and physical properties are achieved 24 hours after UV curing at room temperature. |
| Alcohol Resistance | Cotton swab with alcohol, 500g load, 50 rubs: No abnormalities |
| MEK (Solvent) Resistance | Cotton swab with MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone), 500g load, 30 rubs: No abnormalities |
| Environmental Compliance | Complies with EU RoHS and EN-71 heavy metal standards. |
3. Color Series & Specialty Textured Models
The series includes standard vibrant colors (White, Yellow, Red, Peach, Purple, Blue, Green, Black, Clear Varnish, etc.) as well as highly specialized textured varnishes for premium tactile finishes:
| Specialty Model | Effect / Texture Description |
|---|---|
| JE-S | Frosted / Matte Effect |
| JE-10 / JE-20 | Extra Fine Sand / Fine Sand Effect |
| JE-30 / JE-40 | Medium Sand / Coarse Sand Effect |
| JE-920 | Refractive Varnish (Used with refractive pattern screens) |
| JE-1200 | Ice / Flower Texture Varnish |
4. Mixing & Processing Instructions
- Additives Required: UV-JE Thinner, D-313 Adhesion Promoter.
- Surface Preparation: Substrates must be thoroughly degreased and dusted before printing.
- Squeegee Hardness: 75-80 Shore A.
- Safety & Storage: Print under yellow safe light. UV inks can irritate skin and eyes; wear appropriate PPE. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Shelf life is 1 year below 25°C.
Standard Mixing Ratio
| UV-JE-2 Ink | 100 Parts |
|---|---|
| D-313 Promoter | 5 Parts (Crucial for metal adhesion. Pot life after adding is approx. 30 days) |
| UV-JE Thinner | 5 - 15 Parts (Optional: Do not add if original viscosity is suitable) |
Screen Mesh Guidelines
| Standard Colors (Black, White, etc.) | 300 - 350 mesh/inch (Prevents poor UV curing) |
|---|---|
| 901 Clear Varnish | 100 - 420 mesh/inch (Lower mesh = thicker coat) |
| JE-10 (Extra Fine Sand) | 250 - 300 mesh/inch |
| JE-20 (Fine Sand) | 200 - 250 mesh/inch |
| JE-30 (Medium Sand) | 150 - 200 mesh/inch |
| JE-40 (Coarse Sand) | 100 - 120 mesh/inch |
| JE-920 (Refractive Varnish) | 300 - 420 mesh/inch (Using refractive pattern screens) |
*Warning on Sand Textures: Using a mesh count higher than recommended will cause screen clogging or result in the sand texture becoming progressively coarser during the print run.
5. Specialized Guide: JE-1200 Ice/Flower Texture Varnish
The JE-1200 creates a unique structural "Ice/Flower" pattern. The physical size and spread of this texture are highly sensitive to four specific printing parameters. To maintain consistency across a production run, operators must strictly standardize the following variables:
| Printing Variable | How it Affects Texture Size |
|---|---|
| Screen Mesh Count | Lower Mesh (e.g., 100) = Larger Texture Higher Mesh (e.g., 300) = Smaller Texture |
| Ink Viscosity | Thicker Ink = Larger Texture Thinner Ink (more solvent) = Smaller Texture |
| Printing Speed | Faster Speed = Larger Texture Slower Speed = Smaller Texture |
| Wait Time Before UV Curing | Longer wait before entering UV unit = Larger Texture Shorter wait before entering UV unit = Smaller Texture |
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