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UV-curing coatings protect and decorate materials by reacting to ultraviolet light and creating new polymer bonds. They cure in seconds without high heat or toxic components, and can resist scratches, nicks, and weather damage. They can also be used for decorative purposes. Companies can formulate their own coatings or contract with specialized companies. UV-curing coatings are also available for consumers to use.
An ultraviolet (UV) curing coating reacts to ultraviolet light to create new polymer bonds that protect the underlying material. Also known as UV-curing coatings, these materials allow companies to apply protective coatings that can dry and cure in seconds, without the need for high-heat or toxic components. These are different from UV coatings, which are designed to protect materials from damage caused by ultraviolet light.
This process is based on a phenomenon called photopolymerization. The UV curing coating can be sprayed, painted or dipped onto the material requiring protection. When the coated piece is placed under an ultraviolet light to cure, a reaction takes place which turns the coating into a hard polymer. It should resist scratches, nicks and bumps and can create a weather resistant surface to limit water damage. Individual formulations can offer additional protections such as corrosion resistance, UV resistance, and so on.
In addition to offering protection from the elements, a UV curing coating can also be decorative. It can be used to apply designs to various products or to create a transparent layer of material to make underlying decorative paints more vivid and intense. This may require the use of plates or rollers to apply the UV curing coating in the desired configuration.
UV curing coating alternatives may require time under high heat to fully cure or may include toxic ingredients that allow the coating to cure rapidly and adhere to the underlying surface. Companies can turn to UV curing coating if they have concerns about their environmental practices or want to speed up their supply chain. Fast curing means products spend less time being processed in a factory, allowing for greater production capacity.
Some companies formulate their own UV-curing coatings for different applications. Others may contract with specialized companies to make the products they use. They can provide the technical specifications, limitations and other requirements to the partner company, which can develop an appropriate coating. Formulations can be proprietary to protect a company’s inventions.
Such coatings are also commercially available for consumers to use on hobbyist projects and in other applications. They work much like industrial coatings, allowing people to apply them in a variety of ways and then expose the project to ultraviolet light to harden the coating. It is important to pay attention to warnings regarding recommended application temperatures and other conditions to ensure that the coating proceeds smoothly.
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