UV formulation chemistry is not something that’s taught in Colleges or Universities. It’s a specialty that’s learned over time through trial and error, attention to detail, and dedication to the craft. Miltec’s reputation for creating quality UV curing systems, parts, and components is a direct reflection of the innovations that come from our on-site Applications Testing Laboratory.
With a variety of applications and testing equipment at their ready, the lab’s experienced chemists work with manufacturers and chemistry suppliers to develop compounds to cure just about anything. Existing chemistry suppliers often ask our chemists to replicate a customers’ process to solve curing issues or they come to the lab to test their newest compounds to ensure and improve on radiometer or UV intensity readings.
New prospects come with their account managers to learn more about UV and test drive Miltec’s equipment and products. The time spent helps clarify expectations and ensure that they get the system they need to do the job right.
The UV curing laboratory allows Miltec’s experienced chemists to work with manufacturers and chemistry suppliers to develop compounds to cure just about anything.
In preparation for testing in the lab, your UV Chemist needs to understand a lot about the application, including how the chemistry will be applied, how fast it will be cured, and its performance expectations. If this is a new process with no capital equipment, determining the performance requirements will dictate what will be the best application and cure choices. The UV chemist must know both the performance needs of your specific product and especially to what environment the product will be exposed to.
With this information, the chemist will develop a UV formulation that does not limit your product’s life and may even extend its life and utility. After the UV chemist has a solution to meet the performance requirements, it is crucial to consider the application method.
With any application, the UV chemist will have to adjust the viscosity of the UV coating to be compatible with the application method. For example, the viscosity of a spray coating can never be too thin. The UV chemist may have to adjust the appearance of the product. While nobody is fussy about the appearance inside a sealed container, an exterior surface can never be too alluring.
Armed with all the details, application, production speed, and throughput targets, your UV chemist becomes a key player in the development of a system that’s right for you. With the data from the Applications lab, our engineers work hand-in-hand to design a system that can most effectively and efficiently cure your products.
For more details about our lab or to arrange a visit to test your compounds, contact your account manager or email us at sales@milte.comc
