Dye Sublimation Coating

Question:

I am looking for a supplier of a clear polyester type coating to be applied over a glazed ceramic substrate (tiles, mugs, etc.) to which I will then apply an image using dye sublimation. It has to be polyester for the dyes to penetrate and lock in and to have the chemical and physical properties for the intended use. Can you help me? J.M.

Answer:

There are several suppliers of clear polyester coatings. For your application I suggest that you use a two-component polyester. It can be 100% solids provided the viscosity is low enough to apply with your painting equipment. You also want a wax-free coating. Some polyesters suffer from air inhibition when curing, and wax is added to exclude oxygen from the surface. The wax comes to the surface during application and cure. The presence of wax on the surface could cause problems for the dye sublimation process especially if it is waterborne. You may not be able to use a waterborne material because of your dye sublimation process.

Suppliers of these materials are listed on the Suppliers page at www.pfonline.com or in the 2001 PF Directory and Technology Guide under Coatings, plural-component on pages 409-410. When you contact these suppliers, speak to the industrial or high performance coatings people. In some cases, these coatings are available locally at paint stores. You may even try automotive supply stores.