Are UV inks safe?

Date: Sep 01 2024 From: Star Color

UV ink is widely used in printing, especially in some high demand scenarios. Due to its lack of organic solvents and environmental friendliness, UV ink has become the preferred choice. So, is UV ink safe? Let's take a look together.

Let's first look at the formula of UV ink. The formula of UV ink is mainly composed of polymeric prepolymers, photoinitiators, photosensitive monomers (also known as reactive diluents) and other main components, as well as auxiliary components such as coloring pigments, fillers, and additives.

Polymeric prepolymer: This is the most basic formula component of UV ink, usually a low molecular weight resin containing unsaturated double bonds, such as methacryloyl, unsaturated polyester resin, polyether acrylic resin, etc. These substances form the main body of the ink film after solidification, with a stable chemical structure and minimal impact on the human body and environment.

Photoinitiator: Photoinitiator is a key component in UV ink that absorbs radiation and triggers polymerization reactions. They are mainly divided into two types: hydrogen abstraction type and cracking type, which promote the curing of ink through different chemical mechanisms. These components usually no longer exist after the ink solidifies, so their long-term impact on the human body and the environment is relatively small.

Photosensitive monomer: The photosensitive monomer provides viscosity for UV ink and participates in the curing reaction to form a part of the ink film. Traditional monomers may be toxic, but modern UV inks typically use high-performance monomers that are less irritating to the skin, less toxic, and easy to solidify and adhere, thereby improving the safety of the ink.

Coloring pigments, fillers, and additives: The selection and dosage of these auxiliary ingredients can also affect the safety of UV ink. For example, the toxicity and stability of pigments and fillers, as well as the improvement effect of additives on ink performance, need to be carefully considered.
Are UV inks safe?

Is the UV ink curing process safe?
The curing process of UV ink is achieved through ultraviolet irradiation, which does not produce harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and has a fast curing speed, which is beneficial for reducing the exposure time of harmful substances. However, the ultraviolet rays released during the curing process may cause certain irritation or damage to human skin and eyes, so corresponding protective measures need to be taken.

Although UV ink has been proven to be safe ink in practical applications, we still need to take good precautions.

Some components in UV ink may cause irritation and corrosiveness to human skin, and prolonged exposure or improper handling may lead to symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching of the skin. Therefore, when using UV ink, personal protective equipment such as protective gloves should be worn.

UV ink releases ultraviolet radiation during the curing process. Although the intensity of this ultraviolet radiation is relatively low, prolonged exposure or improper protective measures may still cause damage to the eyes and skin. Therefore, appropriate protective measures should be taken in the UV ink curing area, such as installing UV protective covers, wearing protective goggles, etc.

Although UV ink has lower VOC emissions, it may still produce a small amount of harmful gases during the printing process. Long term inhalation of these gases may have adverse effects on the respiratory system. Therefore, good ventilation should be maintained in the printing workshop, and protective equipment such as dust masks should be worn.

In summary, UV ink performs well in terms of safety, but attention should still be paid to its impact on health and the safety of usage conditions during use. By taking appropriate protective measures and following operating procedures, the risks of UV ink to the environment and health can be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

Huizhou Zhongzhixing specializes in producing UV ink with extremely high safety. We welcome your consultation.