ORGASOL Polyamide Powders
Additives for the Graphic Art Industry
Arkema Inc. offers ORGASOL®, high-performance polyamide powders for use in the
graphic art and coating industries.
ORGASOL® ultra- fine polyamide powders are polymers and copolymers of lauryllactame and/or
caprolactame obtained by direct polymerization. Due to this unique process, ORGASOL® powders
are available as micro-porous spherical beads with a very narrow particle size distribution. Grades
differ in terms of partic le size (from 5 to 60 microns), specific surface area and melting point. The
structure, the shape and the properties of ORGASOL® powders contrast with other powders made by
grinding or precipitation.
The ORGASOL® ultra- fine polyamide powders offer unique properties:
- abrasion and scratch resistances,
- surface texturing effect (soft feel),
- gloss control,
- anti-blocking (coefficient of friction control, dry lubricant effect).
Thus, ORGASOL® polyamide powders permit to achieve the desired performances in water-based,
solvent-based, UV/EB and powder formulations. Coil-coating, can-coating, industrial coating (metal,
wood, plastic, rubber, glass…), paper coating, ink and over-print varnish are the typical applications.
Arkema Inc., 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – Tel: 1-800-328-2811
ORGASOL® powders are the ingredients of choice of solvent-based, water-based and UV/EB cured
inks and over-print varnishes in order to improve at low level of addition surface properties such as:
ü Gloss control
ü Scratch, rub and scuff resistance
ü Slip and lubricity
ü Texture
ORGASOL® have been used in various formulations such as flexographic inks, gravure inks, offset
inks and over-print varnishes.
Gloss reduction while maintaining rub-resistance in over-print varnishes:
To investigate the matting performances of ORGASOL® powders, the following over-print varnish
formulations have been tested:
Control S1 S2 S3 S4
Joncryl 90 20 20 20 20 20
Joncryl 77 40 40 40 40 40
Joncryl 678 28 28 28 28 28
PE wax (35% solid content) 0 6 0 0 0
Orgasol 2001 UD Nat 2 0 0 0.5 1 2
De-ionized water 12 6 11.5 11 10
Gloss, water resistance, rub resistance have been compared in formulations made with ORGASOL®
powders and polyethylene (PE) wax. The thickness of the over-print varnish is about 4 microns dry.
Gloss: Percent reflectance determined at 60° by an average of 10 readings with a gloss-meter (Model 540 from Erichsen).
Water resistance: 4 drops of water were applied for 10 minutes and wiped off with a tissue. The resulting spots were rated
from 1 to 5, 5 being perfect film integrity and 1 being total removal. The drying times and temperatures were varied.
Rub/Scuff Resistance: Using a Sutherland Ink Rub Tester with a 4 pound weight, the surface of the film was rubbed for
40 cycles and rated 1 to 5 on extent of damage.
Hot Scuff Resistance: Performed with a Sutherland Ink Rub Tester. 20 rubs were performed at 150 °C.
Arkema Inc., 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – Tel: 1-800-328-2811
Control S1 S2 S3 S4
No additive 6% PE wax 0.5% Orgasol 1% Orgasol 2% Orgasol
Gloss 2A Black 93 93 85 77 61
Gloss 2A White 94 94 85 76 58
Gloss 3NT3 Black 74 74 66 57 46
Gloss 3NT3 White 66 66 60 51 40
Water Resistance
5 4 4 4 5
30 minutes drying
Water Resistance
2 5 5 5 5
2 hours drying
Rub Resistance 2 3 3 3 3
Hot Scuff Resistance 3 3 2 2 3
These results demonstrate that ORGASOL® can be used to get low gloss while maintaining a high
level of rub-resistance. The gloss reduction is linked to the concentration of ORGASOL®.
Improvement of the rub resistance in water-based over-print varnishes and inks:
ORGASOL® powders have been tested with and without a PE wax in order to investigate potential
synergic effects of both products. The thickness of the over-print varnish is about 4 microns dry.
Over-Print Varnish Formulations Ink Formulations
Control 1 S1 S2 S3 S4 Control 2 S4 S5
Flexiverse Blue 15:3 0 0 0 0 0 31 31 31
Joncryl 77 60 60 60 60 60 44 44 44
Joncryl 678 28 28 28 28 28 11 11 11
PE wax 35% 0 3 0 3 3 0 0 3
Orgasol 3501 EXD NAT1 0 0 0.5 0.5 1 0 0.5 0.5
De-ionized water 12 9 11.5 8.5 8 14 13.5 10.5
Arkema Inc., 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – Tel: 1-800-328-2811
Over-Print Varnish Formulations Ink Formulations
Control 1 S1 S2 S3 S4 Control 2 S4 S5
3% PE 0.5% Or 3% PE + 3%PE + 0.5% Or 3% PE +
0.5% Or 1% Or 0.5% Or
Water resistance 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Gloss Leneta 2A 91 91 84 84 70 86 86 85
Gloss Leneta 3NT3 70 71 64 63 53 61 59 60
Rub Resistance 1 2 2 4 4.5 1 2 4
These data show that ORGASOL® powders improve the rub resistance of both over-print varnishes
and inks. Performances are enhanced when using a PE wax in combination with ORGASOL®. As
shown in the following photos, the blend of ORGASOL® and PE wax leads to an outstanding rub
resistance.
Sutherland Rub resistance Test
Control 1 without additive Formulation S3:
3% PE wax + 0.5% ORGASOL®
Nothing herein shall be deemed to be a warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the use of such information or the use of the
goods described for any particular purpose alone or in combination with other goods and/or processes, or that their use does not conflict with existing
patent rights. No license is granted to practice any patented invention. It is offered solely for your consideration, investigation, and verification.
Version 2.1
Arkema Inc., 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – Tel: 1-800-328-2811
