What is the working principle of photosensitive corrosion-resistant stainless steel line protection ink?

Photo sensitive etching ink is widely used in the production of anti etching materials such as stainless steel hardware crafts, nameplates, leak screens, circuit boards, etc. It is generally blue, also known as photo sensitive blue oil. Photographic etching ink, as an anti-corrosion protective ink, has a wide range of applications. In addition to being used for metals, it can also be used for etching various patterns on glass products.

Photographic etching ink is generally a single component and does not require the addition of curing agents, as curing agents enhance the adhesion of the ink. And photosensitive corrosion-resistant ink requires de ink cleaning in the later stage.

Photographic etching ink, many people call it photosensitive paint or photosensitive glue because it looks like blue pigment. But it is different from coatings, the main raw material is epoxy resin. Compared with photosensitive adhesive, it is also different. Photographic adhesive is used for sun protection and requires good resolution and stability. The photosensitive etching ink is usually packaged in 5 kilograms per barrel and needs to be protected from light and cooled.

Due to its single component photosensitive type, we can print photosensitive etching ink on hardware or circuit board substrates for exposure. If the printing plate or after printing plate is not dried, the ink will get wet, causing it to stick to the photosensitive film, so it is more difficult to clean.

After printing with photosensitive corrosion-resistant ink, the uncovered part (i.e. the part not in contact with light) is developed to obtain some patterns or lines, which need to be etched with etching solution, generally including acid etching and alkali etching. And those exposed to light cannot be etched out due to the protection of anti-corrosion ink, which is also the part that needs to be retained in production. Under the action of light, photosensitive etching ink molecules undergo cross-linking reactions and adhere well to metal materials.

After etching, the ink needs to be removed. Generally speaking, the removal of photosensitive ink is relatively simple. It only requires heating and soaking with a 5% sodium hydroxide solution to eliminate ink. The etching process involves soaking the etching ink on the surface with sodium hydroxide solution, followed by rinsing and wiping with cold water.

If sodium hydroxide solution is not added for a long time, the ink can be cleaned. Etching products, sometimes aluminum plates, require specialized aluminum plate etching and paint removal agents.