Additives to Epoxy Based Inks to make surface hydrophobic

[Chaos32]

Hi i'm seeking advice on additives to epoxy based inks for silk screening.

What i'm trying to do is to create masks/patterns from epoxy inks. What i'm wondering is if there is any additives i could put into the epoxy based ink to make the surfaces hydrophobic/super hydrophobic in nature.

I've tried to add PTFE powders to the ink but it's not creating a good hydrophobic layer. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Compositepro]

Sprinkle the powder onto the ink after printing to get a high surface loading. Trouble is all surface coatings will eventually wear off.

 

[TomDOT]

Perhaps a wax additive which is only soluble in your lowest boiling point solvent, causing to be expelled onto the surface as the ink dries.

 

[Chaos32]

Thanks for the suggestions...

actually i've tried to powder the ptfe on top of the ink and yes it does work to a point but it'll cost me a lot in materials and its not the most efficient if i had to make a lot of masks/patterns.

But i'm actually looking at a parfin wax as an alternative, i'm also looking at silanes and siloxanes.

 

[TomDOT]

Do you have to use these specific epoxy inks, or can you buy some hydrophobic epoxy and thin it to your desired viscosity for printing?

 

[Chaos32]

Got any recommendations with companies that do sell hydrophobic epoxy?

I could always silk screen regular epoxy resin, but i would have to play around with the viscosity, that's for sure!

 

[Compositepro]

There are no hydrophobic epoxies except those made that way by additives which we are discussing. Ink has to stick or it is useless. But you don't want things to stick to the ink after it cures. Another additive to consider is hydrophobic fumed silica. If is amazing stuff. If you dust you hand with it you can stick your hand in water and it will come out completely dry. I doubt that you will find a solution that satisfies you, however.