How to use screen printing ink dispersants
The use of screen printing ink dispersants is essential to ensure uniform dispersion of inks and improve
printing quality and efficiency. The following are general steps and precautions for using screen printing
ink dispersants:
1. Usage steps
Select dispersants:
Select appropriate dispersants according to the characteristics of screen printing inks and printing requirements.
Dispersants should be compatible with the ink system and can effectively disperse pigments or fillers in the ink.
Dilution and mixing:
The dispersant is diluted in a solvent in a certain proportion, usually gradually added under stirring conditions to
avoid excessive local concentration.
Mix the diluted dispersant with the ink to ensure uniform mixing. During the mixing process, appropriate heating
or mechanical force (such as stirring, grinding) can be applied to promote dispersion.
Grinding and dispersion:
Use appropriate grinding equipment (such as three-roller mill, basket sand mill, etc.) to grind and disperse the mixed
ink to achieve the required fineness and dispersion effect.
The fineness and dispersion of the ink should be checked regularly during the grinding process and adjusted as needed.
Adjust the viscosity:
Adjust the viscosity of the ink according to printing requirements. Too high viscosity may cause printing difficulties, while
too low viscosity may affect the printing quality.
Viscosity regulators or diluents can be used to adjust the viscosity of the ink.
Filtration and testing:
Before printing, filter the ink to remove impurities and particles.
Use testing instruments to test the fineness, viscosity, color and other performance indicators of the ink to ensure that it
meets the printing requirements.
2. Precautions
The amount of dispersant:
The amount of dispersant should be determined according to the type of ink, pigment content and printing requirements.
Excessive use of dispersant may cause ink performance to deteriorate, such as reduced viscosity and lighter color.
The manufacturer's recommended amount of dispersant is usually 5%~10% of the inorganic pigment, but the specific amount
needs to be determined based on experiments.
Dispersion effect:
The effect of the dispersant is affected by many factors, such as temperature, stirring speed, grinding time, etc. These factors
should be strictly controlled during the dispersion process to obtain the best dispersion effect.
If the dispersion effect is not good, the ink may have problems such as coarsening of particles, fogging, and blooming during the
printing process.
Compatibility:
When selecting a dispersant, its compatibility with other components of the ink should be considered. Incompatible dispersants
may cause problems such as ink stratification, precipitation or gelation.
Storage and preservation:
Dispersants should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and high temperature environment.
Dispersants should be used up as soon as possible after opening to avoid long-term exposure to air to cause performance
degradation.
Safety measures:
When using dispersants, appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, masks and goggles should be worn to prevent harm
to the human body.
If you accidentally come into contact with dispersants or inks, you should immediately rinse with plenty of water and seek medical
assistance.
In summary
When using screen printing ink dispersants, you should choose suitable dispersants, strictly control the dispersion process, pay attention
to the amount and compatibility of dispersants, properly store and preserve dispersants, and take necessary safety measures. This is the
only way to ensure uniform dispersion of ink and stable improvement of printing quality.
