{"id":10953,"date":"2026-07-30T00:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T00:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/longchangchemical.com\/?p=10953"},"modified":"2026-08-09T13:20:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T13:20:06","slug":"waterborne-flexographic-ink-additives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/longchangchemical.com\/fr\/waterborne-flexographic-ink-additives\/","title":{"rendered":"Waterborne Flexographic Ink Additives: Wetting & Foam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Waterborne flexographic ink additives<\/strong> should be chosen from the press failure, not from a generic ranking. Poor film entry can justify a 2100 wetting-grade trial, recirculation foam can justify a 3062 trial, and blocking may justify an evidence-gated 3501 study. First lock substrate treatment, pH, viscosity, anilox, speed and drying.<\/p>\n

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Ink retracts on film<\/strong>
Screen the 2100 wetting grade after identity confirmation.<\/div>\n
Chamber or return loop builds foam<\/strong>
Screen 3062.<\/div>\n
Dry print blocks<\/strong>
Gate 3501 by dose and a defined protocol.<\/div><\/div>
Original waterborne flexographic ink map: separate substrate entry, press-loop air and dry-web handling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Resolve the 2100 identity before purchasing<\/h2>\n

Longchang currently has two distinct live product records for a similar 2100 wetting grade: one is titled CHLUMIAG\u00ae 2100<\/a> and another is titled CHLUMIWE\u00ae 2100<\/a>. The public site therefore does not establish one unambiguous current brand identity. Put the product code, current commercial name, TDS revision and COA on every sample request before testing or purchase.<\/p>\n

Stabilize the press variables first<\/h2>\n

Record substrate polymer, coating or treatment level, ink chemistry, pH, temperature, viscosity method, anilox volume, plate, impression, speed, dryer settings and recirculation design. Check treatment immediately before printing. Decayed corona, excessive viscosity drift, dirty cells, poor doctoring or insufficient drying can resemble an additive problem.<\/p>\n

Compare the three routes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Itin\u00e9raire<\/th>\nPublished evidence<\/th>\nFirst experiment<\/th>\nDo not assume<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2100 wetting grade<\/td>\nTwo conflicting live product identities; similar wetting role for difficult packaging substrates<\/td>\nRetraction, coverage and print laydown after exact identity confirmation<\/td>\nDo not assume which brand page or document applies to the supplied lot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CHLUMIAF\u00ae 3062<\/a><\/td>\n100% active; water\/solvent\/UV systems; 0.1\u20130.5% total for printing ink<\/td>\nFoam and air-linked print defects<\/td>\nNot a substitute for substrate wetting or dry-web release<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CHLUMIAG\u00ae 3501<\/a><\/td>\n100% active; printing ink, overprint varnish and release\/anti-sticking uses<\/td>\nSupplier-supported blocking or release study<\/td>\nNo public recommended dosage or quantified block\/rub result<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Use the 2100 grade for a reproduced wetting failure<\/h2>\n

After the supplier confirms which 2100 record and document set match the material, screen it only when ink beads, retracts or transfers unevenly on a verified substrate. Keep pH, viscosity, anilox volume and drying fixed. Measure density, pinholes, line and dot quality, tape adhesion, rub and lamination or overprint compatibility. Better spread does not prove stronger adhesion.<\/p>\n

Use 3062 for recirculation air<\/h2>\n

3062 has the clearest published printing-ink dose: 0.1\u20130.5% of total formulation. Identify where air enters\u2014the mix tank, pump, chamber, return line or doctoring zone\u2014and compare foam height, wet density and decay at fixed times. The page says solvent dilution requires stability and defoaming-performance testing, so record diluent, ratio, order, shear and aging.<\/p>\n

Keep 3501 behind an evidence gate<\/h2>\n

3501 may fit blocking or release complaints, but its public page provides no recommended dosage and no pressure\/temperature\/time protocol. Request the current TDS, a starting range, compatible vehicle classes and a reproducible block method. First exclude incomplete drying, retained water, warm rewinding, excessive roll hardness and high storage temperature.<\/p>\n

Use a controlled flexographic matrix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Press trial<\/th>\nChange<\/th>\nPrimary measure<\/th>\nDownstream gate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
A<\/td>\nUnchanged control<\/td>\nDensity, foam, wetting, drying and block baseline<\/td>\nAdhesion, rub and conversion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B\u2013D<\/td>\nConfirmed 2100 grade low\/mid\/high<\/td>\nCoverage, pinholes and line\/dot quality<\/td>\nAdhesion, overprint and lamination<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
E\u2013G<\/td>\n3062 within 0.1\u20130.5%<\/td>\nFoam, wet density and press stability<\/td>\nPrint density, crater and storage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H\u2013J<\/td>\n3501 only after data approval<\/td>\nBlock at fixed pressure, temperature and time<\/td>\nCOF, rub, adhesion and seam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Normalize density before comparing appearance<\/h2>\n

ASTM D7305<\/a> describes reflection-density measurement for printed matter on paper, film or board. Match density before ranking gloss, rub or pinholes; different ink transfer can imitate an additive effect. The method is not intended for metal or foil, so select another documented method for those substrates.<\/p>\n

Measure rub independently from blocking<\/h2>\n

ASTM D5264<\/a> provides a comparative Sutherland rub practice. Fix receptor, load, cycles and conditioning. Blocking needs a separate simulation using the actual rewind or stack pressure, temperature and dwell. A surface route can improve release while reducing rub or overprint adhesion, so approve both outcomes.<\/p>\n

Build the protocol around the real ink vehicle<\/h2>\n

ASTM D6687<\/a> is a current guide to testing printing-ink vehicles and their components. Use it to structure repeatable comparisons while preserving production-relevant resin, pigment, pH control and drying. Record observations over the full press run, because foam and viscosity drift may appear only after circulation.<\/p>\n

Do not infer packaging compliance<\/h2>\n

The public product pages do not establish food-contact, pharmaceutical-contact, low-migration or destination-market compliance for a finished package. Map direct contact, indirect contact and set-off routes; obtain the applicable composition and regulatory declarations; and validate the complete printed and converted construction.<\/p>\n

Decision rules<\/h2>\n