Consumables
New Excimer laboratory unit celebrates premiere at UV Days
Wednesday 29. May 2019 - IST Metz to present new laboratory unit with Excimer technology for the first time at its in-house exhibition
At the UV Days, organiser IST Metz will present its new laboratory unit with Excimer technology for the first time. The laboratory unit is used in the in-house UV Transfer Center, where customer-specific tests can be conducted to determine optimum parameters. During the in-house exhibition, visitors will be able to take part in live demonstrations on the matting of PVC and wood surfaces, for example.
The core task of the Transfer Center is to impart knowledge about UV, LED and Excimer technology and to provide technical advice on all issues. The IST Metz laboratory is available to determine the optimum system and production parameters for individual customer projects. The centrepiece of the laboratory is the new laboratory unit, which will be presented for the first time at the UV Days. The system, which measures over three metres in length, features three Excimer units and wavelengths of 172 nm and 222 nm.
Due to its short-wave emission, an Excimer lamp has a low penetration depth and can be used for matting varnishes, for example. A thin layer of coating cures very quickly on the surface above the liquid substrate and contracts without affecting the deeper layers of coating. The micro-foldsof the surface can then be preserved by the immediate subsequent final curing with UV or LED. The result of matting with Excimers are surfaces with an extremely high scratch and abrasion resistance as well as a high chemical resistance.
An infrared module can also be used to preheat and adjust the viscosity of the varnish. The maximum operating speed is 200 m/min, for which a special accelerating conveyor track was integrated. Samples with a material thickness of up to 50 mm can be processed safely. The extensive configuration allows tests to be performed on a wide variety of substrates for a wide range of industrial applications.
Applications for Excimer technologyExcimer technology is used, for example, in the finishing of wood decors and materials, the cleaning and modification of surfaces in the manufacture of displays and touch panels, as well as the matting of web-shaped plastics. Since Excimer lamps are cold light sources, heat-sensitive materials such as foils or films can also be treated.