Silicone SI0326 Ink Catalyst by Matsui – Yama Series Crosslinking & Cure Additive for Silicone Screen Printing Inks

Yama Silicone Inks Are NOT Pre-Catalyzed

Matsui Silicone Catalyst must be added to every Yama silicone ink before printing. Un-catalyzed silicone ink will not crosslink or cure regardless of temperature. Do not attempt to print Yama inks without first mixing in the correct ratio of Silicone Catalyst (SI0326).

Required — Not Optional

Matsui Yama Silicone Inks are not pre-catalyzed. Silicone Catalyst (SI0326) must be added before printing. Without the catalyst, the silicone polymer chains cannot form the crosslinked network that produces a cured, durable print. An un-catalyzed silicone ink film will remain soft, tacky, and easily removed regardless of how long or hot it is cured.

What Crosslinking Actually Does

Silicone inks cure through a chemical crosslinking reaction, not simple evaporation or film formation. The catalyst triggers a reaction between silicone polymer chains, forming permanent covalent bonds that lock the ink film into a three-dimensional elastic network. This network is what gives cured silicone prints their ability to stretch without cracking, resist abrasion, survive repeated washing, and adhere permanently to stretch fabric fibers.

Enables Stretch & Elasticity

The crosslinked silicone network is inherently elastic — it stretches with the fabric and returns to its original form without cracking, lifting, or delaminating. This is the fundamental property that makes silicone the preferred ink chemistry for compression garments, leggings, swimwear, and technical athletic fabrics that undergo extreme stretch during wear.

Wash Fastness & Durability

A properly catalyzed and cured silicone print survives repeated washing because the crosslinked polymer network is chemically stable. Under-catalyzed or under-cured prints may appear acceptable off the press but fail wash tests — the partially crosslinked network cannot withstand the mechanical and chemical stress of laundry cycles.

Abrasion Resistance

The fully crosslinked silicone film resists surface abrasion from high-motion athletic wear — the rubbing, friction, and physical stress of sport and training use. This is a critical specification for premium sportswear and team uniforms where print longevity directly affects the client’s brand perception.

Controlled Pot Life — ~4–6 Hours

Once Silicone Catalyst is mixed into a Yama ink, the crosslinking reaction begins immediately at room temperature. The pot life is approximately 4–6 hours depending on shop temperature — cooler conditions extend it, warmer conditions shorten it. Mix only the quantity you need for the current production run. Label every container of mixed ink with the time of mixing to track the usable window.

Do Not Over-Catalyze

Adding more catalyst than specified does not improve curing or durability — it reduces pot life and can cause print defects. Over-catalyzed ink cures faster than intended, which means it may begin to crosslink in the screen during printing, causing premature screen blockage, adhesion issues, and surface defects in the final print. Follow the Matsui recommended ratio precisely.

Silicone Reflects Heat — Cure Verification Required

Silicone’s reflective surface bounces infrared energy from conveyor dryer heating elements, making it significantly harder to achieve full cure than with plastisol or water-based inks. Belt speed must be slower than normal. Do not assume standard belt settings are sufficient. Use a heat probe or donut probe to verify that the ink film itself — not just the surface — reaches above 250°F (121°C). Under-cured silicone prints will crack and fail adhesion on stretch.

Pre-Catalyzed?No — Required

Add before every print run

Pot Life4–6 hrs

At room temperature

Cure Temp300–320°F

1–2 min; probe verify

Ink Film Min>250°F

Internal — use heat probe

❌ Common Mistakes That Ruin Silicone Prints

• Over-catalyzing — reduces pot life, causes screen blockage & print defects
• Under-curing — print cracks & fails adhesion on stretch fabric
• Mixing silicone with other ink systems — incompatible chemistries; print fails completely
• Assuming standard belt speed is sufficient — silicone reflects heat; verify with probe
• Printing with expired pot-life ink — partially gelled catalyst causes defects mid-run
• Using contaminated mixing equipment — plastisol/WB residue compromises silicone chemistry

✅ Best Practices for Silicone Production

• Keep screens flooded to prevent drying during pauses
• Pre-test on the actual final garment fabric before production
• Store unmixed catalyst at 65–77°F (18–25°C); keep container sealed
• Label every mixed ink container with the time of mixing
• Mix catalyst fresh at the start of each production run
• Stir periodically during production to suspend silicone solids
• Use a heat probe to verify actual ink film cure temperature
• Perform stretch and wash tests before approving production