News Coatings Technologies
Alkali-soluble resins improve drying and adhesion in water-based inks
A study explores the synergistic effects of alkali-soluble resins on drying rate and adhesion fastness in water-based inks, offering insights into innovative binder technologies for packaging and printing applications.
Drying rate and adhesion fastness are critical performance metrics for inks used in packaging and printing applications. This study investigates the synthesis of polyacrylate emulsions for water-based ink binders using two alkali-soluble resins (ASRs), Joncryl 678 (J678) and Soluryl-60L (S60L), with differing acid values. ASRs were employed as surfactants to achieve synergistic improvements in drying and adhesion properties.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses confirmed the presence of core-shell structures in the polyacrylate latex particles, with variations in emulsifier type influencing particle dimensions. The mechanism of ASRs differs significantly from conventional micelle-based emulsifiers, contributing to enhanced ethanol and water resistance of the latex materials. Dynamic drying tests demonstrated faster drying rates for inks formulated with ASR latex binders. Adhesion properties were tested on polyethylene (PE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films, showing significant improvements due to ASR integration.
Reading tip: Water-borne coatings
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Advancing water-based ink technology
The findings highlight the potential of ASR acrylate emulsions to improve water-based ink performance, offering enhanced drying and adhesion characteristics on diverse substrates. This research paves the way for innovative binder technologies that meet the demands of modern printing and packaging industries.
Source: Ma, Y., Zhang, J., Tian, X., Lv, S., Yu, L., Zhao, Y., Xiao, Y., Liu, X., & Xin, X., Insights into the influence mechanism of alkali-soluble resins (ASRs) with different acidity and the synergistic improvement of dryness and adhesion of water-based ink. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 23, pages 737–748 (2026).
