UV Curing Lamps for Inks, Coatings & Adhesives
UV lamps that cure inks, varnishes, coatings and adhesives in a fraction of a second.
How UV curing works
UV-curable inks, varnishes, coatings and adhesives contain photoinitiators. When they are exposed to ultraviolet light of the right wavelength, the photoinitiators start a polymerisation reaction and the liquid film turns solid almost instantly. There is no water or solvent to evaporate, so curing takes a fraction of a second and the product can be handled immediately.
- Instant curing at high line speeds
- No solvents to evaporate, low emissions
- Hard, scratch- and chemical-resistant finishes
- Small footprint compared with drying ovens
Matching the lamp spectrum to the chemistry
Standard mercury vapour UV lamps emit strong lines across the UV-C, UV-B and UV-A range and suit most clear varnishes and thin ink films. Doped lamps shift more output into the longer UV-A range, which penetrates thicker or pigmented layers better. The right lamp depends on the photoinitiators in your ink or coating, so the ink supplier’s recommendation is a good starting point.
Lamp length, arc length, power and the type of end connection must match the curing unit. We supply UV curing lamps to match your existing system.
Where UV curing lamps are used
UV curing is used wherever fast, durable finishes are needed:
- Offset, flexo, screen and digital printing with UV inks and varnishes
- Wood and furniture finishing, flooring and panels
- Electronics: conformal coatings, solder masks, adhesives
- Optical fibre and glass coatings, bonding of glass and plastics
Other UV lamps we supply
Besides curing lamps we supply UV exposure lamps for screen printing and PCB exposure, and UV-C germicidal lamps for disinfection of water, air and surfaces.
Which infrared heater fits?
| Heater type | Wavelength & response | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard mercury UV lamp | Strong lines from UV-C to UV-A (about 254–365 nm) | Clear varnishes, thin ink films, general curing |
| Doped UV lamp | More output in UV-A (about 350–420 nm) | Thicker or pigmented coatings, white inks |
| UV exposure lamp | UV-A | Screen and PCB exposure |
| UV-C germicidal lamp | About 254 nm | Disinfection, not curing |
Wavelengths are typical values for each emitter type.
Recommended products
Frequently asked questions
How long do UV curing lamps last?
Lamp life depends on the lamp type, the number of starts and the cooling of the curing unit. UV output falls gradually, so lamps are usually replaced when curing speed or quality drops, not only when they fail.
Can you supply UV lamps for my existing curing machine?
Yes. Send us the lamp length, arc length, power and end-cap type, or the machine model, and we will match the lamp.
What is the difference between UV curing and UV germicidal lamps?
UV curing lamps emit a broad UV spectrum to cure inks, coatings and adhesives. Germicidal lamps emit mainly at about 254 nm (UV-C), which inactivates microorganisms, and are used for disinfection.
Does UV curing produce heat?
Mercury UV lamps also emit infrared, so the curing zone gets warm. Reflectors and cooling in the curing unit keep heat-sensitive substrates protected.
Related
Other applications
Tell us about your process
Share the material, line speed and the heater or lamp you use today. Our engineers in Chennai will recommend the right infrared solution.
