The drying process of aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass is a core element in ensuring printing quality and the sealing performance of the aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass. Key aspects include temperature control, time management, environmental cleanliness, equipment compatibility, and process continuity.
Temperature control is the primary factor in the drying process. The inks used in aluminum strip silk screen printing are mostly high-temperature curing or low-temperature drying types. The former requires tempering in a furnace (temperatures typically between 160-200℃), while the latter relies on drying equipment (80-90℃). Excessive temperature can cause excessive volatilization of organic components in the ink, leading to ink layer cracking or reduced adhesion; insufficient temperature will prevent the ink from fully curing, resulting in easy wear and tear on the pattern. In practice, the temperature must be adjusted according to the ink type. For example, inorganic inks require high-temperature sintering to fuse the ink layer with the glass, while organic inks require controlled low temperatures to prevent film embrittlement.
Drying time needs to achieve a dynamic balance with temperature. In high-temperature curing processes, too short a time will result in incomplete melting of the ink layer, while too long a time may cause deformation of the aluminum strips at the glass edges due to thermal expansion. In low-temperature drying processes, insufficient drying time can cause the ink surface to dry while the interior remains uncured, resulting in a "false dry" phenomenon that easily leads to delamination during subsequent use. The optimal drying time range usually needs to be determined through experimentation. For example, low-temperature inks need to be kept at 80℃ for 20-30 minutes to ensure complete solvent evaporation.
Environmental cleanliness directly affects drying quality. Screen printing workshops must maintain a dust-free environment to prevent airborne particles from adhering to the uncured ink surface and causing defects. During the drying process, if the ambient humidity is too high, the solvent evaporation rate in the ink will slow down, leading to delayed curing; if the humidity is too low, static electricity may be generated, attracting dust. Therefore, the drying area needs to be equipped with an independent air purification system, controlling the humidity between 40% and 60%.
Equipment compatibility is fundamental to ensuring process stability. High-temperature curing requires a tempering furnace with a temperature uniformity of ±5℃ to prevent localized overheating that could cause glass breakage; low-temperature drying requires a hot air circulating oven to ensure even heat distribution. For aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass screen-printed with aluminum strips, the drying equipment needs to be integrated with the printing press, laminating machine, and other equipment. For example, the drying process should begin immediately after printing to prevent ink from flowing or bleeding due to prolonged contact time.
Process continuity is crucial throughout the entire production process. Before aluminum strip screen printing, the aluminum strips for the aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass must undergo anodizing or decontamination treatment to ensure a clean surface free of oil. After printing, the drying process must be closely coordinated with the lamination and sealing processes of the aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass. For example, if residual solvent remains on the glass surface after drying, it can react with the subsequently applied butyl sealant or silicone sealant, leading to seal failure. Therefore, the cleanliness of the glass must be tested after drying to ensure no residue remains.
The drying process also needs to consider the characteristics of the aluminum strip. As the spacer strip for the aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass, its surface must be kept dry to prevent oxidation or corrosion caused by moisture. During the drying process, a temperature difference between the aluminum strip and the glass contact surface may cause condensation, affecting the adhesion of the sealant. Therefore, it is necessary to control the temperature gradient of the drying environment to ensure that the aluminum strip and glass heat up or cool down synchronously.
The drying process for aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass needs to balance ink curing, aluminum strip protection, and the sealing performance of the aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass. By precisely controlling temperature and time, maintaining environmental cleanliness, adapting to specialized equipment, and optimizing process connections, printing quality and the service life of the aluminum strip silk screen insulating glass can be significantly improved, meeting the diverse needs of the construction industry for energy conservation, safety, and aesthetics.
