Crosslinking, the key to dourable organic paint
Part 2
.jpg)
In Part 1, we covered how crosslinking is the key to maximum durability in organic paints. And to get the crosslinking right, you need to set the appropriate firing (or drying) curve.
So today we are going to tell you how to do it. First of all, it is important that the product is heated to the required temperature (for the HGC 8 series this is 170-200°C) for the minimum time specified (see Part 1). Let's also be clear that the indication on the display of the furnace ( respectively dryer) does not show the temperature to which the glass has been heated, but only the temperature at the location of the sensor.
The easiest way to know the temperature to which the glass has been heated is to use self-adhesive heat meters.
.jpg)
Simply stick the heat meter on the place where you want to check the temperature. It is likely that for larger and more complicated products, we will need to apply multiple heat meters to one product at a time.
In case of heating up to the given temperature, the heat meter in the place indicating this value will burn and turn black (see photo above).
The temperature of heating can then be read by burning the heat meter (Tip: if the desired temperature is not reached, you can use the product with these heat meters again after adjusting the firing curve). The disadvantage of this method is that it does not show how long the product has been in this temperature zone.
Much more accurate data, including the firing timeline, can be recorded with a temperature measuring data logger.
.jpg)
It is a device that records both the heating temperature and the firing time using a temperature probe attached to the product.
Dataloggers often have multiple channels. We have a 4-channel datalogger, so we can directly measure multiple points on a single item during a single firing cycle, or the temperature of items located in different areas of the furnace.
Note: in the case of both the heat meters and the temperature datalogger, the measurements must be made in the drying oven, which will be loaded with products as in the actual production. Often manufacturers do not use the maximum possible load in the oven, but leave gaps between the products. These facilitate air flow in the drying oven space.
How to test a finished product for sufficient crosslinking with a simple test will be covered next time in Part 3 of the article about Crosslinking, the key to durable organic paint.
If you don't have time to wait until the next Newsletter and need help with verifying the quality of your product firing right away, call us at +420 571 612 420 or send us an email at info@gds.cz.
continue to part 3
This article was written by:
David Batla
Owner of GDS Technology s.r.o.
Make your own painted glass
Only room temperature drying technology! Make your own painted glass. Easily, quickly, effectively, thousands of colors (RAL, NCS, Pantone).
more information
Coloured Glass Enamel Colour Paint
We are traditional producer of Ceramic Enamel Paints for toughened glass. More than 20 years experience with tinting process.
more information
