ACH-TPO is a photoinitiator for the UV curing of unsaturated polyesters and resins containing acrylic ester groups. Because of its absorption behavior in the long-wave range of the UV spectrum, it is used to cure pigmented UV curable coatings, as well as UV stabilized coatings.
ACH-TPO is also widely used because it can photobleach resulting in low yellowing coatings, which is particularly needed for white pigmented coatings and printing inks, such as silk-screen printing.
ACH-TPO is recommended for applications such as:
- Opaque white printing inks for flexographic, gravure, lithographic, screen, or digital applications
- Clear overprint varnishes (in combination with an alpha hydroxy ketone)
- UV curing of coatings for can/coil, general industrial, floor, furniture, millwork, or plastic component applications.
ACH-TPO is added to pigmented coatings formulations at a rate of 0.5 – 3.0% (expressed in
terms of the polymerizable fraction).
In formulations containing UV resins with acrylic ester groups, atmospheric oxygen has a strong inhibiting effect on the curing of the film’s surface. Surface curing can be promoted by adding other initiators.
Because of its absorbance of long-wave UV light, ACH-TPO itself, as well as coatings or surfaces containing it, is sensitive to daylight. In storage, as well as in production, light with wavelengths of less than 500 nm should be excluded, for example lamps and windows covered with yellow films.
ACH-TPO should not be used for coatings of articles intended to come into contact with food or are to be used in the cosmetic or medical fields.