Application of dual curing system

Quick answer: A practical UV ink decision usually starts with the printing method and substrate, then checks cure depth, transfer quality, adhesion, and color stability under real line conditions.

Output waveform is different.
1. Traditional UV mercury lamp curing machine produces UV light looks bright, high heat, the spectrum is very wide 220nm-420nm are covered, the real role in the effective curing of a UV spectrum only part of its energy, a significant part is in the visible section (stray light) and generate heat, easy to make processing workpiece heat deformation.
2. LED UV curing machine, issued by a high-purity single-wavelength ultraviolet light, it belongs to the cold light source, the current market for commercial applications of light sources: 365nm, 385nm, 395nn, 405nm four kinds of light source equipment.
Environmental protection comparison.
1. LED UV curing machine does not contain mercury, ozone-free, green, environmentally friendly, is the best alternative to traditional UV light source
2. Traditional UV mercury lamp curing oven contains mercury, ozone, low environmental indicators
Heat impact.
1. LED UV curing machine cold light source without thermal radiation, the surface temperature of the bearer is low, a complete solution to the rapid light, liquid crystal production in the long-term problem of thermal damage; especially suitable for liquid crystal sealing, film printing and other requirements of low-temperature occasions
2. Traditional UV mercury lamp curing machine heat, the bearer by high temperature deformation
Ease of use.
1. LED UV curing machine without preheating, instant lighting, instantly reach 100% power UV output
2. Traditional UV mercury lamp preheating time is long, a long time to reach the work requirements
Service life: 1.
1. life is more than 10 times the traditional UV curing machine, about 20000-25000 hours.
2. low service life, UV mercury lamp service life of 800 hours
Output energy.
1. LED UV curing machine with high energy, stable light output, uniform light spot, improve quality
2. Traditional UV mercury lamp curing machine wave crest wide, light spot to the surrounding decreasing, uneven
Structural differences
1. LED UV curing machine equipment structure is simple and easy to integrate, can be customized
2. Traditional UV mercury lamp curing machine large size, complex structure
Operating factors
1. LED UV curing machine life is not affected by the number of switches
2. Traditional UV mercury lamp curing machine switch times affect the life
Cost of use
1. LED UV curing machine maintenance costs are zero, the use of LED UV oven to save at least 10,000 yuan per year / unit of consumables costs.
2. traditional UV mercury lamp curing machine regularly updated lamps and other equipment, high costs
LED curing on the UV light curing resin performance requirements
1, fast curing, curing heat requirements are not high. LED curing device does not generate heat, belonging to the cold light source, high temperature is the reaction is a catalyst, LED cold light source system is not conducive to curing.
2, temperature-sensitive substrates, require the resin reaction exothermic as low as possible to avoid excessive exothermic resin reaction, resulting in deformation of the substrate.
3, under aerobic curing conditions, has a strong antioxidant resistance to aggregation. LED light source for a single wavelength, the existing commercial 365nm, 385nm, 395nm, 405nm are deep curing, unfavorable to surface curing.

A practical buying checklist for UV ink applications

In UV printing, the best technical choice usually comes from balancing curing performance with print behavior. Teams normally get the strongest result when they review substrate fit, line speed, image quality, and post-cure durability together rather than optimizing only one variable.

• Match the package to the printing method: inkjet, gravure, letterpress, pad printing, screen printing, and label applications can need different cure and viscosity profiles.
• Check image quality with cure: the strongest initiator or monomer route is not helpful if transfer, dot behavior, or film clarity gets worse.
• Review adhesion after full cure: a surface-dry print can still fail later if the deeper film remains under-cured.
• Test on the final substrate family: film, metal, glass, paper, and specialty surfaces can shift the commercial ranking of the same package quickly.

Recommended product references

• CHLUMIAO 1010: A widely used primary antioxidant benchmark for long-term thermal stability.
• CHLUMIAO 168: A practical process-stability reference when hydroperoxide control matters.
• CHLUMILS UV-123: A strong HALS reference for weatherability-focused screens in coatings and polymers.
• CHLUMILS UV-770: A familiar HALS benchmark when weatherability and appearance retention are under review.

FAQ for buyers and formulators

Why can a UV ink look fine in a lab drawdown but struggle on press?
Because print speed, real film build, substrate handling, and curing energy often expose limitations that are not visible in a slower or simpler test.

Should UV ink materials be selected only by the fastest cure?
No. Commercial selection also needs to protect print sharpness, adhesion, color, and long-run consistency.