ZERO FORMALDEHYDE CROSS-LINKING AGENT FOR PIGMENT PRINTING

AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC is a cross-linking agent, mainly used to improve the wet fastness of fabrics printed with pigments. The product contains in its molecule several reactive sites, that can bond together the binder polymer chains and the textiles fibres.
AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC reacts only at elevated temperatures in the presence of acidic catalyst, and cannot cause any blocking of screens during printing process.
AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC is a free formaldehyde product and is suitable for producing textiles printed with pigment which comply with the requirements of the Ökotex standards.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Appearance	White emulsion
Chemical nature	Aqueous emulsion of blocked-polyisocyanate
Density	1.1 g/cc
Ionic type	Non-ionic
Solubility	Miscible with water at any ratio
pH (10% sol.)	7 – 9
Compatibility	Compatible with all product used for aqueous pigment printing.
Storage	Do not store in direct sun and in hot places. Sensitive to frost. Stable for at least 12 months.

PROPERTIES & USES:

1. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC is used in combination with self-linking textile binders, such as AVCO-BINDER SPC, to improve the wet fastness of pigment prints on fabrics made from synthetic fibres, cellulosic fibres and blends.

2. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC does not impair the shelf life of the ready made printing pastes, or affect their running properties. It is necessary to ensure that the pH of the printing paste is 8-9 when a long storage time is needed. The reacting groups of the fixing agent are blocked and can split-off only at elevated temperatures.

3. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC does not contain any residual formaldehyde, and does not evolve any amount of formaldehyde during hot fixation at elevated temperatures.

4. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC is a liquid product, and can be used in an automatic colour kitchen.

5. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC is a non-yellowing product which does not affect the colour of the printing pigments.

6. Recommended for producing textiles with very low free formaldehyde values, as required by Ökotex standards and more particularly for fabric for children wear.

APPLICATION:

1. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC is applied under the normal processing conditions of pigment printing, with white spirit emulsion or without white spirit. It is used at a concentration of 5-15 g/kg, depends on the amount of the binder and the type of the substrate. For 100% synthetics the amount of AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC should be increased.

2. Optimum fixing results are achieved with hot air-fixation at 150°C for 4-5min. At temperatures below 130°C, the fixing agent is not efficient.

3. AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC should be added to the stock paste or directly to the printing paste by the means of a high-speed mixer, after the thickener is incorporated.

4. Aqueous printing paste containing AVCO-PRINTFIX ZFC can be stored for a long time, provided that the pH of the paste is maintained in the range of 8-9 (adjusted with ammonia).