TopPro WOW Clear Window for Matte Materials
TopPRO WOW, or Wet-Out-Window, is a screen printable hardcoat which allows creation of a clear display window on a matte surface. Use of the TopPRO® WOW allows major changes in production that will significantly reduce the cost of substrate material, coating used and labor. TopPRO® WOW is ideal for the nameplate, overlay and membrane switch manufacturers. Works well with in-mold decorating offering new design and application possibilities.
Benefits
• Create clear display areas on matte surfaces!
• “Trade down” material from clear polished to
low-cost textured polycarbonate or polyester
substrate and save 20% or more.
• Reduced labor – no masking to peel.
• Faster production speeds – use automatic feed.
• Lower reject rates, no nitrogen, less static.
• Less coating used – only window coated.
• Competitively priced, one gallon covers ~
4,000 sq. ft.
• WOW’s abrasion and chemical resistance
makes possible further cost reductions.
Eliminate one complete pass when WOW
transparent colors are used.
• More profits! More money! Save 30%-50%!
Chemical Resistance (1), (2)
| Uncoated | Coated | |
| Gasoline | X | L |
| Toluene | X | S |
| Acetone | X | S |
| 5% Ammonia | S | L |
| 10% Caustic Soda | S | L |
8. Chemical Resistance: Similar to ASTM D-1308 but more severe. Evaporation minimized through continuous contact with chemical by means of a pad in the mouth of an inverted bottle placed on the specimen.
9. L—Long-term contact, greater than 24 hours
M—Medium-term contact, up to 8 hours
S—Short Term contact, up to 1 hour
X—Immediate attack: do not use
Scratch Test (3)
| PSI | ||
| Scratch Resistance | 1 |
3. Scratch Resistance: While not designed to be scratch and
abrasion resistant, TopPro™ WOW shows no scratching when
subjected to steel-wool rotary testing using a 1.25- square-
inch #0000 steel-wool pad at 1 psi for 5 rotations.
Boiling Test (4)
| Cross Hatch Adhesion (5) | 100% |
4. Panels immersed in boiling water for 30 minutes
5. ASTM-D-3359
In-Line Application Suggestions
(Wear Personal Protection Per MSDS)Preparation
No special preparation necessary other than a clean environment, proper screen, tools and substrate. Room temperature should be ~ 72°F. Before use, mix slowly by hand for 60 sec. Be careful not to create air bubbles or foam.
Screen Size and Squeegee
Use a 330 mesh and a medium hardness squeegee.Target screen tension at 25 Newtons per cm. For the more coarse matte finishes (such as GE Lexan™ 8B36-112 Suede) use a 280 mesh screen with a medium hardness squeegee.
Processing
WOW creates a clear window out of a matte substrate where a see-through window is required. Dirt and other environmental contamination will be visible if certain precautions are not followed such as applying the coating in a clean room or using a HEPA filter enclosed unit over the printing area. It is also best, to use automatic feed and take-off directly into a drying oven with circulating filtered air, all enclosed leading to the UV curing unit. There are no VOC’s to vent.
Coating Thickness
Maintain coating thickness at .3-.5 mils. (Use Tooke gauge or equivalent to measure.)
Use of In-Line Heat
For ultimate results, it is recommended that prior to UV curing, an in-line heater is used. This achieves two important objectives; first, it improves the flow of the coating and helps eliminate the screen mesh pattern which results in an improved appearance; secondly, it improves adhesion of the coating to the substrate. At a substrate temperature of 90°F a good appearance and 100% adhesion is achieved (as per ASTM D-3359). At a substrate temperature of 140°F or higher, adhesion of 100% is maintained after a twenty minute boiling test or the automotive environmental tests which normally last for eight days. The substrate can be heated by IR or gas fired jet dry. Test the substrate temperature with an IR temperature gun. The substrate need only be elevated for a second or so which means it can be done at usual production speeds.
Printing Over Ink
WOW has excellent flow and adhesion to non-silicone inks. Add 1% cyclohexanone for silicone inks.
UV Curing
One pass under a mercury vapor bulb at 800mj/cm2 will produce a complete through-cure without the use of nitrogen. Generally a 300 watt bulb will create this level of cure. Use a radiometer to read mj/cm2 intensity. Increase or decrease UV belt speed to reach the 800mj/cm2 level
Low Stress Lexan
Easy and Economical to Use
GE 8A13
Abrasion and Chemical Resistant
GE 8B35F
Solvent Free, Contains No V-pyrol
GE 8A13F
Works on Most Commercially Available Matte Materials
GE 8A35
Available in Five Transparent Colors and “Dead Front” Gray
GE 8B35
Coated Both Sides, Passes Automotive Environmental Tests
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