U-series Ink

CytoInk U-series are tinted or colored screenprinting inks. U-series inks are based on CytoAcryl, a oligomer with exceptional hardness, chemical resistance, hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. Thin films cure in less than 3 seconds under UV light, have water contact angles of approximately 100°, mineral oil contact angles of approximately 80° and have great solvent resistance. These thixotropic inks are currently used in manufacturing hydrophobic immunological diagnostic microscope slides and microarray plates. Inks are available in a variety of color-tints including gray, white, red, blue and yellow.

Size: 50 grams
Application methods: Screen printing, pad printing, direct or reverse roll, offset gravure, metering rod, slot die, knife over roll, air knife, curtain, immersion, spin, dipping, etc.
Curing: Cure the ink with LED lights (12W/sqcm @ 385/395/405 nm) for 3 seconds with the light source ~4 mm from the mask.
Color: White, black, blue, red, yellow or green (for custom colors contact Cytonix)
Water contact angle: ~100°
Oil contact angle: Over 80°
Solvent resistance: Acetone, ethanol, MEK, etc.

U-series thixotropic inks are screen printable coatings used in manufacturing hydrophobic and oleophobic diagnostic microscopy slides, microarray plates and microfluidic devices. The U-series inks are UV light curable, hydrophobic and solvent resistant. Cure the inks with LED lights (12W/sqcm @ 385/395/405 nm) for 3 seconds with the light source ~4 mm from the mask (alternatively irradiate with a medium pressure vapor mercury lamp (220-320 nm UV, if possible under inert nitrogen) to a pencil hardness of greater than #2 at 3 Joules per square centimeter for 60 seconds). The ink may be thinned with acetone and butyl-acetate. Clean up with acetone. Store unused ink at room temperature in tightly sealed container. After proper curing, masks have contact angles to water over 100° and have great chemical and solvent resistance. Inks are available in a wide variety of tints including grey, white, red, blue, yellow and a wide variety of other colors.

Frequently Asked Questions:
- I’m using a 380 poly screen with CP emulsion what do I do if the ink is too thick?
-- Please add a little butyl acetate to thin the ink prior to printing. This will make the ink less viscous.

- What is the identity of the photoinitiator in the ink?
-- The catalyst is MicroCure CTO-46 (similar to Isacure KTO-46) or MicroCure CTO-63.

- Should I have yellow filters over room lights to prevent premature curing of ink?
-- It is not necessary. But it will not hurt.

- Is there a handling window with the ink?
-- About 4-8 hours. Longer if you dilute with butyl-acetate.

- What works best to clean the screen?
-- You can clean the screen with acetone, tri-ethyl-phosphate or most other wash-mixtures that do not hurt the screen.