Cytech
Chemipol Solutions is proud to partner with Cytech Group to provide exceptional resins and adhesion promoters for the Southern African ink industry. Our collaboration emphasizes quality and innovation, ensuring that our customers benefit from the finest products available in the market.
Cytech Group is a global leader in the ink industry, known for its high-quality resins, including Ketonic, Maleic, Polyamides, and Polyurethanes. These innovative resins and adhesion promoters are trusted by the world’s largest ink manufacturers, offering a comprehensive range of both standard and specialty grades to meet diverse production needs.
Polyketones (Ketonic) Resin
CYTECH’s Polyketones are clear, pale, straw to water white resins which are very soluble in ethanol and exceptionally compatible with film-forming polymers such as nitrocellulose, vinyl, acrylics and polyamide resin.
IN COATINGS:
Especially useful in clear color stable lacquers. Qualities of adhesion, gloss, leveling and percent nonvolatile in nitrocellulose lacquers can be materially improved. Improves general utility and performance of paper coating lacquers. Extra hardness and faster solvent release are favored by the higher melt point type.
IN INKS:
Improved pigment wetting, gloss, adhesion, printability and higher solids can be expected when Polyketones are included in gravure and flexographic ink formulations. Gel points of polyamides are reduced and may permit more latitude in the choice of resins. Many adhesion problems on difficult substrates are overcome by the addition of Polyketones. Printing on Saran-treated cellophane is notable in this respect. Ball-point pen inks are reportedly improved in terms of flow and set. Suggested usage levels are 3-15% of total solids.
| TYPICAL PROPERTIES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARTICULARS | HI-REZ KR-100 | HI-REZ KR-SP | HI-REZ KR-500 | HI-REZ KR-1000 | |
| Colour | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 | |
| Viscosity (50% in ethanol) Ford Cup B-4 |
21±1 sec @ 30°C | 21±1 sec @ 30°C | 19±1 sec @ 30°C | 25±1 sec @ 30°C | |
| Softening Range | 95-105°C | 95-105°C | 90-100°C | 100-115°C | |
| Hydroxyl Value | 220-230 | 180-200 | 280-290 | 220-240 | |
| Acid Value | <1.0 | <1.0 | <1.0 | <1.0 | |
Polyamide Resins
HIAMIDE 2010 SERIES – CO-SOLVENT RESINS
The HIMIDE 2010 series of resins may be considered as the traditional polyamide ink binder. This range is particularly suited for the production of gravure inks and the resins are characterized by their:
*Excellent resistance to blocking
*Good solvent release
*Poor tolerance to polar solvents
*Poor gelation recovery
HIAMIDE 4030 SERIES – CO-SOLVENT RESINS
The HIMIDE 4030 series of resins may be considered as the traditional polyamide ink binder. This range is particularly suited for the production of gravure inks and the resins are characterized by their:
*Excellent resistance to blocking
*Good solvent release
*Good water resistance
*Poor tolerance to polar solvents
*Poor gelation recovery
HIMIDE 6010 SERIES – ALCOHOL REDUCIBLE RESINS
The HIMIDE 6010 series of resins offer properties intermediate between cosolvent and alcohol soluble resins. The range is suited for the production of both gravure and flexographic inks. Compared to co-solvent resins, these resins have:
*Improved tolerance to polar solventsg
*Improved gelation resistance
*Good blocking resistance
*Improved compatibility with nitrocellulose
HIMIDE 9030 SERIES – ALCOHOL SOLUBLE RESINS
The HIMIDE 9030series of resins offer a wider variety of properties than the cosolvent and alcohol reducible resins. These resins are particularly suitable for the production of flexographic inks but generally require the incorporation of nitrocellulose to optimize performance. The resins offer:
*Excellent tolerance to polar solvents
*Very good compatibility with nitrocellulose
*Poor to good blocking resistance
*Poor to good water resistance
*Low solution viscosities
*High melting points
HIMIDE 1002/H SERIES – ALCOHOL SOLUBLE RESINS
The HIMIDE 1002/H series of resins offer a wider variety of properties than the co-solvent and alcohol reducible resins. These resins are particularly suitable for the production of flexographic inks but generally require the incorporation of nitrocellulose to optimize performance. The resins offer:
*Excellent tolerance to polar solvents
*Excellent compatibility with nitrocellulose
*Very good compatibility with nitrocellulose
*Poor to good blocking resistance
*Poor to good water resistance
*Low solution viscosities
*High melting points
| PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Melting Point°C | Viscosity: Sec Ford Cup B-4 @ 25°C |
Uses | Features |
| HIMIDE 2010 | 105 – 115 | 43 – 65 | Gravure Inks and Lacquers | Excellent Solvent Release |
| HIMIDE 4030 | 100 – 110 | 30 – 46 | Gravure Inks and Lacquers | Improved Solubility |
| HIMIDE 6010 | 115 – 125 | 19 – 29 | Gravure, Flexographic Inks and Lacquers | Good gelation resistance and antiblocking properties |
| HIMIDE 9030 | 100 – 110 | 16 – 24 | Flexographic Inks | Good water resistance and low odour |
| HIMIDE 1002/H | 105 – 115 | 16 – 25 | Flexographic Inks | Good Adhesion on untreated PP and HDPE |
Polyamide Resins
HI-PACK Plasticizing Polyurethane Resin
HI-PACK plasticizing polyurethane resins are intended for nitrocellulose based inks and coatings systems. An extensive range of aromatic based HI-PACK products are available in a choice of hardness and plasticizing effects, which can be applied to both, rigid and flexible substrates. The grades listed below represent the most commonly used products with a choice of nonvolatile content, viscosity and solvent release characteristics. All conventional HI-PACK products are supplied as isocyanate
| PRODUCT | VISCOSITY IN BROOKFIELD VISCOMETER | SOLIDS | SOLVENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HI-PACK – 115 | 1700-1900 | 70 | 27% ETAC + 03% NPA | General purpose semi aliphatic resin, flexographic and gravure inks. This is used in combination with nitrocellulose and vinyl resin for lamination and surface printing inks. |
| HI-PACK – 116 | 1700-1900 | 70 | 27% ETAC + 03% NPA | Softer version of HI-Pack–115. Very flexible, excellent solvent. |
| HI-PACK – 119 | 1700-1900 | 60 | 37% ETAC + 03% NPA | Aliphatic resin with very good water resistance. Suitable for both surface and lamination printing inks. Highly recommended for deepfreeze ink applications. |
Supplier Specification:
Pot Life : Pot life of mixed Cross Linking Resin is about 6 Months.
Self Life : Shelf life of Cross Linking Resin / unopened / undamaged packing under Normal s storage condition is 1 year.
Dilution : Dilution is recommended by using recommended Solvent.
HI-FILM Film forming range of Polyurethane Resins.
PREFERRED SUBSTRATE
Coextruded oriented polypropylene
HI-FILM polymer contains both polyether and polyester, high molecular weight structures. HI-FILM comprises a range of solvent based film forming urethanes, which can be used on a wide variety of substrates where a demanding performance calls for high quality inks. HI-FILMS polymers have been formulated to lower the non volatile content for cost effectiveness. Special grades have been developed for vinyl substrates in combination with vinyl co-polymers. All conventional HI-FILM products are:
| PRODUCT | VISCOSITY IN BROOKFIELD VISCOMETER | SOLIDS | SOLVENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HI-FILM – 127 | 2500-3500 | 30 | 58% ETAC + 12% NPA | Suggested for gravure lamination. |
| HI-FILM – 128 | 1000-1200 | 30 | 46% ETAC + 12% NPA + 12% BTAC | Suggested for gravure lamination. |
HI-FILM Aliphatic Film forming range of Polyurethane Resins.
Resin in this category are 100% aliphatic and prepared by chain extension of pre-polymer and diamine, nitrocellulose compatible and ethanol dilutable in all proportion.
| PRODUCT | VISCOSITY IN BROOKFIELD VISCOMETER | SOLIDS | SOLVENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HI-FILM – 129 | 800-1000 | 30 | 67% ETAC + 3% NPA | Suggested for gravure lamination. |
Adhesion Promoter
Hi-Aid 250
This preferred product is for the demanding duties of inks in today’s quality printing and packaging environment.HI-AID 250 is a chelated titanate containing iso-propanol and ethanol as solvent. It is a titanium chelate developed in response to the need of the printing industry for a low odour, low colour adhesion promoter. It does not contain acetyl acetone. Today HI-AID 250 is the leading adhesion promoter for high quality, demanding printing applications.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS:
| SR. NO. | PROPERTY | SPECIFICATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appearance | Transparent water white |
| 2 | % Of Solid Content | 45 +/- 2 |
| 3 | Solvent | Iso Propyl Acetate |
| 4 | Viscosity By B4 Cup in Sec. @ 30°C | 16 +/- 5 |
| 5 | Flash Point | 5 Deg. Cent |
| 6 | Acid Value | <2.0 |
| 7 | Specific Gravity | 1.004 +/- 0.02 |
| 8 | Colour Gardner | 1 Max |
| 9 | Dry | Odourless |
Supplier Specification:
Pot Life : Pot life of mixed Cross Linking Resin is about 6 Months.
Self Life : Shelf life of Cross Linking Resin / unopened / undamaged packing under Normal s storage condition is 1 year.
Dilution : Dilution is recommended by using recommended Solvent.
PREFERRED SUBSTRATE
Coextruded oriented polypropylene
Although the impetus for developing HA-AID product was the need to promote adhesion, it was also found that it improved the ink’s heat resistance. This allowed the film to be heat sealed in the printed area, helping pave the way for HI-AID 250 to establish market leader in coextruded oriented polypropylene applications. To obtain increased adhesion using HI-AID 250, you need to treat the film surface, usually by corona discharge.
Other substrates
Although the impetus for developing HA-AID product was the need to promote adhesion, it was also found that it improved the ink’s heat resistance. This allowed the film to be heat sealed in the printed area, helping pave the way for HI-AID 250 to establish market leader in coextruded oriented polypropylene applications. To obtain increased adhesion using HI-AID 250, you need to treat the film surface, usually by corona discharge.
PREFERRED RESINS
Polyvinyl Butyral-based (PVB) inks
Whilst adhesion of PVB based inks to polypropylene films is good, it can be improved further by the addition of HI-AID 250.The effects of HI-AID product on heat stability depend on the ink formulation and substrate.Improvements can be achieved at up to 160° C. The addition of a stabilizer such as maelic acid to control the ink viscosity is particularly important
Nitrocellulose/polyurethane and nitrocellulose/polyamide inks
HI-AID 250 is effective in a variety of resin systems which have nitrocellulose (NC) as the principal film former and, usually, incorporate a co-binder such as polyamide or fully reacted polyurethane. It brings the following demonstrable benefits:
*Improved adhesion to OPP film
*Improved heat stability depending on the grade of OPP film used
*Reduced yellowing effects with HI-AID 250 compared with titanium acetylacetonates
*No reduction in gloss with HI-AID 250
*Improvement in the performance of acrylics, alkyd and maleic resins used with nitrocellulose
PREFERRED PRINTING PROCESSES
FLEXOGRAPHIC
The flexographic process provides good quality printing on to a variety of substrates, including stretchable films, offering versatility and economic cost. Low viscosity liquid inks which dry by absorption or solvent evaporation are used either directly or for producing laminate structures. HI-AID 250 is widely used in solvent based flexographic inks to improve adhesion to film and increase heat resistance, water resistance, grease resistance and chemical resistance.
GRAVURE
The gravure process produces very high quality graphics on paper, foil and some (non-stretchable) plastic films and is best suited for long production runs. For some flexible packaging applications, properties of the printed ink films are improved by the incorporation of HI-AID 250 In the case of C-type inks containing nitrocellulose which dominate the packaging gravure market, HIAID product improve the adhesion and grease resistance. With D-type inks based on polyamide resins, HI-AID additives improve adhesion and increase heat resistance.