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Matching the UV radiation source to the chemical formulation of printing inks, coatings and adhesives is a key factor in achieving an efficient curing process. At the IST Campus, IST METZ uses advanced analytical technology for this purpose. Photo-DSC (photo-differential scanning calorimetry), combined with flexible LED light sources covering wavelengths from 255 nm to 405 nm, enables precise analysis of the crosslinking behaviour of reactive systems.
During photopolymerisation, the decomposition of photoinitiators triggers an exothermic crosslinking reaction. Photo-DSC measures the heat flow released during this reaction with high precision and in real time.
Compared to conventional mechanical testing methods, such as solvent resistance or scratch resistance testing, Photo-DSC provides quantitative and reproducible results.
Both conventional mercury UV lamps and LED systems have their respective strengths in industrial curing applications. The key difference lies in their emission spectra: while conventional UV lamps cover a broad wavelength range, LEDs emit radiation within a narrow spectral band.
To determine suitable process conditions for each application, it is essential to understand the curing behaviour of the respective formulations.
Photo-DSC enables systematic analysis of formulation reactivity across a broad UV spectrum. By comparing the same formulation at different wavelengths, it becomes possible to identify which LED wavelength most effectively activates the photoinitiator to achieve the highest possible degree of crosslinking.
The measurement data obtained from Photo-DSC is incorporated directly into process development. These findings help to match system configurations and chemical formulations to specific process requirements.
Rather than relying solely on time-consuming and material-intensive trials on coating equipment, photo-differential scanning calorimetry provides scientifically grounded insights into the reaction behaviour of the formulations under investigation at an early stage.
This gives users and formulators a valuable basis for shortening development times and supporting process reliability in UV curing.