DPHA (dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate) is a well-established component in UV flexographic systems, valued for its high functionality and rapid cure response. However, its use - particularly in food packaging applications - has drawn increased attention due to evolving regulatory requirements. As the industry begins to consider alternatives, the challenge lies in identifying materials that deliver comparable performance without compromising formulation goals.
In response, Bomar conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate dendritic oligomers as high-performance, regulatory-conscious replacements for DPHA in UV flexographic systems.
UV Flexographic System
Dendritic oligomers are hyper-branched thioether urethane acrylates with acrylate functionality of six or more. Their unique architecture results in:
These attributes make dendritic oligomers strong candidates for use in flexographic inks and coatings.
Bomar’s study, Dendritic Oligomers for UV Flexographic Systems, evaluated the performance of multiple dendritic oligomers through rigorous testing—including physical, chemical, and photo-rheological analysis. The goal: to determine whether these materials could match or exceed the capabilities of DPHA in flexographic applications.