How to evaluate the quality of water-based ink
Date: Nov 14 2023 From: Star Color
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, water-based ink is more and more widely used in the printing industry.As an environmentally friendly and energy-saving printing method, water-based ink has many advantages, such as low VOC emissions, no irritating odor, non-combustible and non-explosive.However, when selecting and using water-based ink, how to evaluate its quality becomes a key issue.This paper will discuss in detail how to evaluate the quality of water-based ink, through the analysis of its color, viscosity, stability, adhesion and durability, to provide a practical evaluation method and basis for the printing industry.
Colour
1.Color brightness
The color brightness of water-based ink is an important index.High-quality water-based inks should be able to provide a full, vibrant color effect.In the evaluation, you can compare different brands and types of water-based inks to observe the vividness and hiding power of their colors.
2.Color consistency
The printing process needs to ensure a high degree of color consistency between different batches.When evaluating the color consistency of water-based inks, you can compare multiple batches of ink to observe whether its color is stable and consistent.If there is a problem, it can be improved by adjusting the formula or controlling the quality of raw materials.
Viscosity
1.Viscosity level
Viscosity is one of the important parameters of water-based ink.The right viscosity can ensure that the ink has good flow during the printing process, while allowing it to adhere to the substrate after drying.When assessing viscosity, you can use a viscometer to measure the viscosity of different batches of water-based ink to see if it is within the specified range.
2.Viscosity stability
Viscosity stability refers to the ability of water-based ink viscosity to remain stable during storage and use.If the viscosity is unstable, it will affect the printing effect and product quality.When assessing viscosity stability, the viscosity of different batches of water-based inks can be measured periodically to see if it changes over time.If there is a problem, it can be improved by improving packaging and storage conditions or adjusting the formula.
Stability
1.Storage stability
High-quality water-based ink should be stored stable at room temperature, and it is not easy to stratify, precipitate, and caking.When evaluating storage stability, the water-based ink can be placed at room temperature to observe whether the above phenomenon occurs.If there is a problem, it can be improved by improving packaging, strengthening storage conditions or adjusting the formula.
2.Stability in use
The use stability refers to the ability of water-based ink to block the nozzle and dry too fast or too slow during use.When evaluating the stability of use, actual printing tests can be used to observe the performance of water-based inks during use.If there is a problem, it can be solved by optimizing the printing process parameters or adjusting the formula.
Adhesive force
1.Adhesion strength
The water-based ink should be firmly attached to the substrate after drying and is not easy to erase.When evaluating the adhesion strength, you can use the grid method, tensile test and other methods to detect the adhesion of water-based ink on different substrates.If there is a problem, the adhesion can be enhanced by selecting the appropriate bonding material and additives.
2.Adhesion uniformity
In addition to adhesion strength, adhesion uniformity is also important.When assessing adhesion uniformity, it is possible to observe the adhesion of water-based inks in different areas and on substrates of different thicknesses.If there is a problem, it can be improved by adjusting the printing pressure and speed.
Durability
1.Abrasive resistance
After the water-based ink is dried, a film is formed on the surface of the printed matter, which should have certain friction resistance.When evaluating the friction resistance, the friction testing machine can be used to detect the number of friction resistance of the printed surface.If there is a problem, the friction resistance can be enhanced by selecting the appropriate pigment and binder.
2.Weather ability
Printed matter may encounter different climatic conditions in the course of use, such as high temperature, low temperature, wet, dry, etc.When assessing weather resistance, the print can be tested under different climatic conditions to observe changes in color and adhesion.If there is a problem, the weather resistance can be enhanced by selecting the appropriate pigments and auxiliaries.
To sum up, the evaluation of the quality of water-based ink needs to be comprehensively analyzed from many aspects such as color, viscosity, stability, adhesion and durability.In the actual production process, the appropriate evaluation method can be selected according to the specific needs and printing conditions.Through the comprehensive evaluation and management of the quality of water-based ink, we can ensure that the quality and environmental performance of printed matter reach the best level to meet the market demand and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises.
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