What is lamination ink and what are its core functions?

Lamination ink is a specialized ink designed for multi-layer material lamination processes. Its core functions include: 1. Acting as an adhesive medium to form chemical bonds between the printing layer and substrates (e.g., BOPP/PE/aluminum foil), with a peel strength of ≥4N/15mm (GB/T 8808 standard); 2. Serving as a functional carrier to provide properties like oxygen barrier, moisture resistance, and high-temperature tolerance (withstands 121℃/30min); 3. Ensuring visual performance by maintaining the color and precision of printed patterns in composite structures.

What are the main differences between lamination ink and traditional printing inks?

Key differences include: 1. **Bonding Strength**: Lamination ink has a peel strength of ≥4N/15mm (GB/T 8808), while traditional inks have no bonding requirements; 2. **Temperature Resistance**: Lamination ink withstands 121℃蒸煮, whereas traditional inks typically tolerate <80℃; 3. **Solvent Residue**: Lamination ink limits residue to ≤3mg/m² (GB 9685), stricter than traditional inks' ≤5mg/m²; 4. **Functional Integration**: Lamination ink supports additional properties like barrier and conductivity, while traditional inks focus solely on color and pattern presentation.

What is Lamination Ink?

Date: May 21 2025 From: Star Color Views:

I. Definition and Core Functions of Lamination Ink

Lamination Ink is a specialized ink designed for multi-layer material lamination processes, characterized by its triple functions of chemical bonding, functional integration, and visual performance. By forming chemical bonds between the printing layer and substrates (such as BOPP/PE/aluminum foil), lamination ink achieves firm adhesion of multi-layer structures (peel strength ≥4N/15mm). It also imparts additional properties like oxygen barrier, moisture resistance, and high-temperature tolerance (121°C/30min) through fillers such as nanoclay and aluminum oxide. Compared with ordinary inks, lamination ink offers a temperature resistance increase of over 50% and strictly controls solvent residue below 3mg/m², making it the preferred choice for high-demand packaging scenarios.

What is Lamination Ink?

II. Chemical Composition and Classification of Lamination Ink

The performance of lamination ink stems from its precise formulation design. The resin matrix (40-60%) provides basic adhesion, with polyurethane and acrylic systems suitable for chemical resistance and flexibility requirements, respectively; isocyanate-based curing agents (5-15%) trigger cross-linking reactions, while silane coupling agents (0.5-2%) enhance adhesion by improving substrate wettability.

Chemical Composition of Lamination Ink

Component	Function	Content (wt%)	Key Mechanism
Resin Matrix	Provides basic adhesion and film formation	40-60	Polyurethane resin (chemical resistance)/acrylic resin (flexibility)
Curing Agent	Triggers resin cross-linking	5-15	Isocyanate-based (forms urethane bonds via reaction with hydroxyl groups)
Adhesion Aids	Improves substrate surface wettability	0.5-2	Silane coupling agents (chemical bonding at hydroxylated substrate interfaces)
Functional Fillers	Imparts barrier/conductive/thermal properties	3-8	Nanomontmorillonite (oxygen barrier)/conductive silver paste (conductivity)
Solvent System	Regulates ink fluidity and drying rate	20-40	Ethyl acetate/butanone (solvent-based)/deionized water (water-based)

Comparison of Main Lamination Ink Types

Type	Curing Method	VOC Emission (g/L)	Core Advantages	Typical Applications
Solvent-Based Lamination Ink	Hot air volatilization + chemical cross-linking	300-500	High adhesion, low-temperature resistance (-40°C)	General food packaging, daily chemical films
Water-Based Lamination Ink	Water evaporation + self-cross-linking	≤50	Environmental-friendly, low migration, sterilization-resistant	Medical sterile packaging, baby food packaging
UV-Curable Lamination Ink	UV light-induced polymerization	0	Instant curing (<1 second), high precision	Electronic labels, optical film bonding
Solventless Lamination Ink	Moisture-catalyzed cross-linking	0	High-speed production (over 200m/min)	Flexible packaging production lines, aluminum foil composites

III. Five Core Application Areas of Lamination Ink

Food Packaging
Lamination ink is used in high-temperature retort pouches (phenolic resin-modified ink resistant to 121°C/40min) and liquid packaging (pH 2-12 tolerance). The inner-layer ink of Tetra Pak has passed FDA 21 CFR 175.300 certification to ensure food contact safety.
Pharmaceutical Packaging
Blister packaging for pharmaceuticals uses ink with nanomontmorillonite to achieve an oxygen transmission rate <0.5cc/m²·day; medical sterilization bags employ acrylic-epoxy hybrid systems resistant to gamma ray sterilization.
Industrial Materials
Lithium battery packaging uses fluorine-modified polyurethane ink resistant to electrolyte corrosion; building films achieve UV resistance through TiO₂/carbon black composite systems.
Electronic Devices
Flexible circuit boards use conductive silver paste lamination ink (resistivity <0.01Ω·cm), while optical film layers achieve precise bonding through high light transmittance (>92%) ink.
Smart Packaging
Temperature-indicating inks monitor food freshness through irreversible color changes, and conductive inks for RFID tags drive logistics tracking innovations.

IV. Key Performance Indicators and Testing Methods for Lamination Ink

Core Performance Requirements:

Indicator	Test Standard	Basic Requirements	High-Barrier/Electronic Grade Standards	Testing Equipment
Peel Strength	GB/T 8808	≥4N/15mm	≥6N/15mm	Universal material testing machine
Solvent Residue	GB 31604.1	≤3mg/m²	≤1mg/m² (medical grade)	Gas chromatograph (GC-MS)
Oxygen Transmission Rate	ASTM D3985	<1cc/m²·day	<0.1cc/m²·day	Coulometric oxygen permeation tester
Migration Resistance	EU 10/2011	≤0.01mg/kg	≤0.005mg/kg	Migration simulation device

Lamination ink

Lamination ink is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade from a single adhesive function to environmental friendliness, intelligence, and functional integration. In 2024, bio-based materials, digital printing, and smart packaging will become key growth drivers, while policy-driven environmental technologies (such as a 35% penetration rate for water-based inks) will reshape the market landscape. With the application of cutting-edge technologies like graphene and nanomaterials, lamination ink will further expand into emerging fields such as flexible electronics and medical diagnostics, promoting the packaging industry's transition toward a sustainable circular economy.