Coatings World - April 2013

UV/EB Continues to
Enjoy Growth in the

Coatings Market David Savastano, Ink World Editor

Coatings manufacturers are always looking for an edge when it comes to formulating their products. Whether they are manufacturing coatings for the automotive and aerospace market, industrial or wood coatings and furniture, or other products, coatings formulators are developing materials that offer advantages for their customers.

In recent years, radcure products have gained in popularity among coatings makers. There are a number of reasons for this. Environmentally, UV and EB coatings emit virtually no volatile organic compounds, and their instant cure through light eliminates solvents and drying. As a result, manufacturing costs may also be lower. UV and EB coatings also offer improved properties, such as higher gloss and better resistance.

At the recent Advanced Materials Conference at uv.eb WEST 2013, coordinated by Rad Tech and held in Redondo Beach, CA, speakers from various coatings fields offered their thoughts on how energy curing is changing the way they do their work.

Rad Tech officials reported that attendance was up more than 50% from its last event, demonstrating the increased interest in UV and EB curing.

Take, for example, clearcoats for the aerospace market. Rick Baird of Boeing Research & Technology noted in his talk on “Progress Toward a Heat-Resistant UV-Curable Clearcoat for Aircraft Exteriors” that present paints show discoloration in areas subjected to high heat (~300°F) in service.

Baird added that a heat-resistant clearcoat would act as barrier to oxygen and moisture, and slow down the degradation process. He said that a very fast cure of clearcoat would be needed to minimize flow time hit, and UV may be ideal for the market.

“UV cure delivers the best cure time, as thermally-curable
paints are too slow,” Baird noted. “Curing takes seconds, as the
overall cure depends on how quickly the surface can be scanned
with UV lamps, while the best thermal cure takes hours. Paint
achieves full cure during UV exposure, with no wait after UV
exposure to fly, and there are reduced hazardous emissions, with
nearly zero VOCs.”
Baird noted that the cure system requires capital investment,
although small affected areas can utilize off-the-shelf portable
systems, and added there are a few basic requirements.