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The core components of UV inkjet ink

Release time:

2026-02-26 07:18

In the field of digital printing, UV inkjet inks have become a key driving force behind industry development, thanks to their outstanding print quality and wide range of applications. Underlying this success is a carefully selected and precisely proportioned blend of raw materials that work together synergistically to endow UV inkjet inks with extraordinary performance.

I. Prepolymer

Prepolymers, also known as oligomers or dimers, are the main components that form the ink film after the ink has cured. They are typically polymer precursors containing polymerizable functional groups (such as acrylate groups). The molecular structure of these prepolymers directly influences the mechanical strength, flexibility, adhesion, and chemical resistance of the cured film. Common types include epoxy acrylates, polyurethane acrylates, and polyester acrylates. The choice of prepolymer can be tailored to meet specific requirements for hardness, scratch resistance, and weatherability, depending on the intended end application.

II. Reactive Diluent

Active diluents, also known as reactive monomers, serve a dual purpose: they regulate the viscosity of the formulation to meet the spray nozzle’s requirements for jetting; and during the photopolymerization process, they participate in polymerization and crosslinking, influencing the crosslinking density and ultimate performance of the ink film.

Based on their functionality, monomers can be classified as monofunctional, bifunctional, and polyfunctional. Polyfunctional monomers help accelerate curing speed and increase hardness, while monofunctional monomers are conducive to improving flexibility and adhesion.

III. Photoinitiator

Photoinitiators are key components of UV-curing systems. After absorbing ultraviolet light, they generate active free radicals or cations, which in turn initiate the polymerization reaction between prepolymers and monomers. According to their mechanism of action, they can be classified as:

1. Cleavage type: Upon exposure to light, the molecule decomposes internally into free radicals, resulting in rapid curing;

2. Hydrogen-abstraction type: Requires synergistic action with a co-initiator to generate free radicals, suitable for thick-film or colored systems.

The selection of a photoinitiator must match the emission wavelength of the UV light source used, while also taking into account its solubility in the system and its tendency to cause yellowing.

IV. Colorants

Colorants impart color and opacity to ink, and primarily include:

1. Pigments: Dispersed in the system in the form of fine particles, these pigments exhibit excellent lightfastness, weather resistance, and chemical stability, making them suitable for outdoor applications and environments with high durability requirements.

2. Dyes: They are soluble in the system, exhibit vivid colors and high transparency, but generally have moderate weather resistance and are often used for indoor or short-term applications.

The dispersion stability of pigments directly affects the storage life and print quality of inks; therefore, it is often necessary to rely on dispersants and grinding processes to achieve uniform dispersion.

V. Functional Additives

There are many types of additives, and although used in small amounts, they play a crucial role:

1. Dispersant: Enhances pigment dispersion stability and prevents settling and agglomeration.

2. Leveling agent: Improves the uniformity of ink film spreading and reduces the occurrence of pinholes and orange-peel effects.

3. Defoamer: Inhibits foam formation and prevents printing defects;

4. Adhesion promoter: Enhances the adhesion of the ink film to various substrates;

5. Stabilizers: Including UV absorbers and polymerization inhibitors, which enhance the storage and usage stability of ink.

VI. Summary

The composition of UV inkjet ink is a multi-component system characterized by coordinated interactions among its various constituents. In this system, prepolymers form the backbone of the ink film, reactive diluents optimize process adaptability, photoinitiators trigger the curing reaction, colorants deliver the desired color appearance, and a variety of additives further enhance storage stability, printability, and overall performance during use. By carefully adjusting and precisely controlling the proportions of these components, high-performance UV inkjet products can be developed for diverse substrates and applications, thereby supporting their wide-ranging use in fields such as packaging printing, industrial marking, and decorative arts.

Bo Xing Related Product Recommendations
UV inkjet
Product Model	Product Features	Application areas
BM3231/TMPTA (Trimethylolpropane triacrylate)	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, high gloss, and excellent abrasion resistance.	UV coatings, UV varnishes
BM3380/3EO-TMPTA (Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) trimethylolpropane triacrylate)	More flexible and less irritating than TMPTA.	UV coatings, UV inks, UV inkjet, 3D printing
BM3384/3PO-GPTA (Propoxylated glycerol triacrylate)	Fast curing, excellent flexibility, low irritation, and good pigment wetting.	UV coatings, UV inks, UV inkjet, 3D printing
BM4241/DiTMPTA-80 (2,3-dihydroxypropyl tetraacrylate)	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and water resistance.	UV offset printing ink, UV inkjet, 3D printing, UV transfer adhesive, wood furniture coatings
BM4242/Di-TMPTA (Bis(trihydroxymethyl)propane tetraacrylate)	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and water resistance.	UV coatings, UV inks, UV adhesives
BM6261/DPHA-80 (Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate)	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and water resistance.	PCB ink, UV offset printing ink, hardening solution, plastic UV coating, PVC hardening coating
BM6263/DPHA-90 (Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate)	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and water resistance.	UV hardening liquid, PVC hardening coating, PCB ink, UV offset printing ink, plastic UV coating
B-153 (Modified Epoxy Acrylate)	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.	Metal/Plastic UV Coating, UV Ink
B-530 (Polyester Acrylate)	Fast curing, excellent pigment wetting, low viscosity, good hydrophobicity, thixotropy, and improved ink misting.	Offset UV Ink
B-536 (Polyester Acrylate)	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent pigment wetting.	UV offset ink
B-560 (Polyester Acrylate)	Fast curing, excellent pigment wetting.	Offset UV Ink
B-590 (Polyester Acrylate)	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent pigment wetting.	Screen-printing UV ink

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The Multifaceted Value of Inkjet Ink

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