UV Coatings Value: An Indispensable Part of Modern Surface Finishing

 

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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