UV Coatings Value: An Indispensable Part of Modern Surface Finishing
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UV Coatings Value |
UV Coatings Technology and Applications
Ultraviolet (UV) curable coatings, also known as UV coatings, cure and dry upon
exposure to ultraviolet light. They are different from traditional thermoset
coatings that cure through the application of heat. UV coatings offer several
advantages over solvent-borne and thermally cured coatings. Some key
characteristics of UV coating technology include:
- UV absorbers - UV coatings contain photoinitiators or photoinitiating systems
that absorb UV light energy and initiate the polymerization and curing process.
Different types of photoinitiators can be used for different types of resins
and applications.
- Light curing - Upon exposure to UV light source such as mercury vapor, LED,
or iron vapor lamps, the photoinitiators trigger a photochemical reaction that
converts the liquid or paste-like resin into a cured dry protective film within
seconds.
- Solvent-free application - UV coatings are 100% solids and contain virtually
no solvents. They cure by photopolymerization instead of evaporation. This
makes them environmentally friendly.
- Fast curing - UV coatings can dry and cure in less than one second allowing
for high production speeds. In comparison, traditional heat-cured coatings take
minutes to fully cure and cool down.
- Versatile surface applications - UV
Coatings Value can be used for wood, plastic, glass, metal and more.
They are used in various industries for applications like printing,
electronics, automotive, packaging and more.
Advantages of Using UV Coatings Value
There are several advantages that UV coatings provide over traditional coating
technologies:
- Environmentally friendly - UV coatings contain no or very low VOCs and HAPs.
They reduce air pollution and meet stringent environmental regulations.
- Energy efficiency - UV curing requires lower energy usage compared to thermal
curing which needs heating elements. UV lamps also switch on instantly for
quick curing.
- Increased production speed - Near instant drying enables applying multiple
coats and immediately packaging finished goods without wait time. Higher
throughput lowers production costs.
- Superior hardness and durability - UV cured coatings achieve very high
crosslink density making the final film extremely durable, scratch resistant
and chemical resistant.
- Customizable - Photoinitiators, oligomers and monomers can be tailored to
achieve desired surface properties like flexibility, adhesion and appearance
for different applications.
- Low waste - UV lamps emit negligible heat and cure coatings very efficiently.
This reduces material wastage during the curing process.
- Aesthetics - UV coatings give superior gloss, clarity and shine to finished
parts. They protect printed images and surfaces against damage.
Market Growth and Future Prospects
The global UV curing market size was valued at USD 6.03 billion in 2019 and is
expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2020 to
2027 according to a research report by Allied Market Research. Paints, coatings
and inks application segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2019.
In the coming years, growing adoption of environmentally friendly technologies,
increased manufacturing activities, and rising demand for fast curing highly
productive coatings are projected to drive significant gains in UV curing
market. Popularity of UV LED curing systems over Hg lamps due to their energy
efficiency and form factor flexibility will boost adoption rates across
industries. Emergence of new photoinitiators for heat sensitive substrates and
growing product innovation to enable 3D printing of metallic parts using UV
curable resins and inks present lucrative opportunities. The Asia Pacific
region dominated the global market in 2019 and regional demand is forecast to
surge at the fastest pace due to expanding manufacturing sector in China and
India. Overall, UV coatings will remain a vital surface treatment technology
for achieving productivity, sustainability and high performance.
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Coatings Value
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