Infrared Drying for Thin Coating Applications
topic
Infrared drying systems use short-wave, medium-wave, or long-wave infrared emitter panels positioned above the coated substrate to provide radiant heating that selectively heats the water or solvent in the coating by molecular absorption, with short-wave IR at 2 to 3 micrometre wavelength penetrating deeper into the coating for pre-drying of thick coatings and medium-wave IR at 3 to 6 micrometres providing more surface-concentrated heating for thin film and adhesive drying applications.
Role
Provides rapid, energy-efficient drying of thin coatings and surface heating applications through selective radiant heating that deposits energy directly in the coating without heating the substrate and oven structure to the same degree as convection drying, reducing drying energy consumption by 20 to 40 percent for thin coating applications where the rapid response and precise heat distribution of IR drying provides both energy and speed advantages over hot air convection alternatives.