Viability analysis on the replacement of polyamide and maleic resins with polyurethane in ice line inks in flexography.

Abstract

Flexographic ink is composed of images with multiple colors, printed with the aim of beautifying and giving resistance to the substrate on which it is printed. The paints are structured mainly by resins, pigments and solvents, requiring the addition of additives to meet a specific physical-chemical resistance of the line, for example in the ice line, the resistance to fatty substances and moisture. Bearing in mind that polyamide and fumaric resins are used for the production of this, and because they are more expensive than other resins, the present work aims at the possibility of substitution by polyurethane resin, maintaining the physical-chemical resistance of the ice line, in addition to decrease in production cost. A strategic plan was used to develop a new base, verifying the influence of each chemical component on the property of the paint. The results of the study indicate that the substitution of fumaric and polyamide resins by polyurethane proves to be an effective alternative to reduce the cost of producing ice paints, in addition to maintaining resistance to fatty substances and moisture. Primary properties such as drying, viscosity, gloss, coverage and friction were not compromised with the necessary changes in the formulations, which confirmed the quality of the developed ink.