Electron beam (EB) technology works not by drying a liquid until it becomes a solid, but by actually changing the chemical composition of the material being targeted.
During this curing process, the substrate travels through an EB machine, where a cloud of electrons has been produced in a vacuum chamber using an electronically-charged filament, usually tungsten. A continuous stream of electrons is accelerated through a thin, metallic foil window and onto the moving web substrate surface.
These accelerated electrons are able to ionize most organic materials, leading to the formation of free radicals. This either induces a ‘knitting together’ of the polymers (called crosslinking), initiates the polymerization of liquid monomers and oligomers (called curing), or sometimes accomplishes both.
The molecular property of the substance being targeted changes immediately – and voila! - EB curing produces the instantaneous “drying” of an ink, paint, coating or adhesive onto a product which is now immediately ready to move on to the next manufacturing process or shipped to its intended recipient.
Why EB?
Package printers, décor paper producers, metal coaters, converters and membrane production companies worldwide are realizing the value of replacing or augmenting their current curing technology with electron beam (EB) technology. Why?
Superior Production Performance
- EB offers instantaneous, complete curing at high line speeds
Instant cure enables immediate die cutting, stacking and shipping, eliminating work-in-process inventories
Extremely precise processing and stable energy output that does not drift over time
Higher conversion with more consistent output that ultraviolet (UV) technology
Able to penetrate thick or opaque materials effectively
EB machines generate very little heat in the substrate, making them a superior choice over thermal and UV curing for heat-sensitive materials like thin films
Cost Effective
- Both the cost and footprint of EB equipment has shrunk drastically in recent years
EB consumes much less energy than other drying or curing technologies
EB requires much smaller space commitment than thermal drying
Key coating, ink and adhesive formulators have continued to develop EB solutions, boosting availability and driving down price
Improved Product Appearance
- Higher gloss finishes with superior scratch resistance
The ‘crosslinking’ effect of EB generates a tougher surface, offering tear, puncture and fading resistance
BroadBeam EB systems have the option of being equipped with a 4-in-1 package decorating feature, offering laminating, coating, cold foil and Cast and Cure® holographic decoration
Safe
- EB technology does not produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like thermal drying
EB doesn’t present the risk of photoinitiator migration, present in all forms of UV curing, including LED UV
Because of its lower energy requirements and safe chemistry, EB is a greener alternative to UV curing and thermal drying
Workplace safety is enhances with EB usage: no fear of inhaling VOCs; no flammable solvent worries; and no heat fatigue from working near enormous drying ovens
