Ultraviolet curing

Ultraviolet and electron beam drying

Irradiation with UV rays or electrons is nowadays a widely used industrial process to dry inks, varnishes, paints and adhesives, for example, and to varnish polymers

Drying/curing with ultraviolet (UV) rays has taken off in recent years. The advantages of this technology are:

• Environmentally friendly because fewer solvents are required
• More profitable because of lower energy consumption
• No large-scale installation required

Radiation drying in an atmosphere with reduced oxygen content improves product properties and reduces costs. The main advantages of this include:

• Fewer (expensive) UV photoinitiators required
• Higher drying speed
• Lower energy costs
• Better scratch resistance
• Higher gloss
• Less formation of ozone (EB)

In most cases nitrogen is used to remove oxygen from the drying chamber, sometimes also carbon dioxide.

Linde offers a range of solutions for all your needs, including: consulting and testing; optimal supply methods for nitrogen based on individual specifications, determined according to cost and technical aspects and the required purity; the right equipment and control panels for supplying and monitoring the required amount of nitrogen to the UV/EB unit and measuring the oxygen content.