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How to Choose Raw Materials for UV Wood Coatings (Part 1)

Release time:

2026-03-09 17:25

How to Choose Raw Materials for UV Wood Coatings (Part 1)

The performance of UV wood coatings fundamentally depends on the selection and formulation of raw materials. Among the various components that make up UV wood coatings, resins and photoinitiators are the core ingredients that determine the coating’s basic properties and curing performance. As film‑forming substances, the chemical structure of resins directly influences the hardness, flexibility, adhesion, chemical resistance, and weathering resistance of the cured coating. Photoinitiators, on the other hand, are the key initiators of the curing reaction: under ultraviolet light irradiation, they absorb light energy and generate active species that trigger polymerization and crosslinking in the resin. Selecting these two types of raw materials correctly is the primary step in designing high‑performance UV wood coating formulations.

1. Resin

Resin is the largest component in UV wood coatings, typically accounting for 50% to 80% of the total formulation, and serves as the film‑forming substance that determines the fundamental properties of the coating. The chemical structure and molecular weight distribution of the resin directly influence the coating’s hardness, flexibility, adhesion, chemical resistance, and weathering performance.

Depending on their chemical structures, resins used in UV wood coatings are mainly divided into the following categories:

1. Epoxy acrylate

Propylene glycol epoxy acrylate is produced by reacting epoxy resin with acrylic acid and boasts numerous advantages. After curing, the resulting coating film exhibits high hardness, effectively resisting scratches and impacts during everyday use while providing robust protection for wood surfaces. At the same time, it offers excellent chemical resistance, exhibiting strong resilience against common acids, alkalis, solvents, and other corrosive substances, making it highly resistant to corrosion. In addition, propylene glycol epoxy acrylate cures rapidly and exhibits excellent adhesion, adhering tightly to wood surfaces and remaining firmly in place without easily peeling off. However, its flexibility is relatively limited; when subjected to significant external impact, the coating film may crack. Consequently, it is often used for coating applications on flooring, furniture countertops, and other areas where high hardness and superior chemical resistance are required.

2. Polyurethane Acrylate

Polyurethane acrylate combines the properties of both polyurethane and acrylate. It boasts excellent flexibility, allowing it to accommodate the expansion and contraction of wood caused by changes in temperature and humidity, thereby preventing cracking or peeling of the paint film. Its abrasion resistance is also outstanding; even after prolonged use and friction, the paint film remains intact. Moreover, polyurethane acrylate exhibits exceptional yellowing resistance—under ultraviolet light, it is unlikely to discolor, ensuring that wooden furniture retains its aesthetic appeal over the long term. It is widely used in the coating of high‑end furniture, wooden crafts, and other wood products that demand both superior flexibility and a premium appearance.

3. Polyester Acrylates

Polyester acrylates exhibit excellent flexibility and wettability, providing superior wetting performance on wood surfaces. They can penetrate deep into the wood grain, ensuring strong adhesion. With their outstanding pigment dispersibility, they serve as an ideal base resin for formulating tinted paints, enabling pigments to be evenly dispersed throughout the coating and guaranteeing vibrant, uniform color in the paint film. At the same time, their moderate curing speed facilitates control over leveling during application, resulting in a smooth and even paint film surface.

2. Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators are the key component that enables UV wood coatings to undergo photopolymerization. Although they typically account for only 1% to 5% of the formulation, the selection of photoinitiators directly determines the efficiency and quality of the curing process.

1. Types: Based on their differing mechanisms for generating active species, photoinitiators are primarily divided into two major categories: radical‑type and cationic‑type. Radical‑type photoinitiators are the most widely used and can be further classified into two subtypes: cleavage‑type and hydrogen‑abstraction‑type. Cleavage‑type photoinitiators, such as benzoin ethers and benzoyl ketones, undergo direct cleavage upon excitation to generate free radicals; hydrogen‑abstraction‑type photoinitiators, such as benzophenones, must be used in conjunction with amine co‑initiators to produce free radicals via hydrogen abstraction reactions.

2. Light Source Matching: The primary principle is to ensure that the absorption spectrum of the light source is properly matched. Different wavelengths of ultraviolet light require photoinitiators that correspond to their respective absorption peaks. Traditional mercury lamps have a relatively broad spectral range, making them compatible with a variety of photoinitiators; in contrast, LED‑UV light sources emit light at highly concentrated wavelengths, so only photoinitiators that are specifically matched to these wavelengths can achieve efficient curing.

Balancing curing depth with surface drying performance is another critical consideration. In thick-coat or colored-paint systems, both surface curing and deep‑layer curing must be taken into account. Surface curing requires that the photoinitiator effectively absorbs light energy at the coating’s surface to prevent oxygen inhibition from causing tackiness; deep‑layer curing, on the other hand, demands that ultraviolet light can penetrate all the way to the bottom of the coating, meaning the photoinitiator should not exhibit overly strong absorption at specific wavelengths. Employing a formulation of photoinitiators with differing absorption characteristics is an effective approach to achieving uniform curing from the surface to the depths.

III. Summary

The selection of resins and photoinitiators is the foundation of UV wood coating formulation design. Resin selection must be based on the performance requirements—such as hardness, flexibility, and yellowing resistance—specific to the application scenario, with appropriate choices made or formulations optimized across different resin types. When choosing photoinitiators, key considerations include compatibility with the light source, their impact on curing depth and surface drying performance, as well as compliance with environmental residue standards. Through the scientific selection of these two core raw materials, a solid foundation can be laid at the formulation level for the optimal performance of UV wood coatings.

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Boxing Recommended Products – UV Wood Coatings
Putty primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective.
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost performance.
Sanding Primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective.
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost performance.
Primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-02	Phosphate ester acrylate	Enhance adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-05	Phosphate ester acrylate	Enhance adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion.
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost performance.
B-535	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, excellent flexibility, and yellowing resistance.
B-546	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent flexibility.
White primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective.
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost performance.
B-529	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, low shrinkage, and excellent resin compatibility.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting.
Glossy topcoat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion.
B-21C	Active amine photoinitiator	Low color, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, enhanced curing rate
B-301	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent sandability.
B-302	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
B-601	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and high cost performance.
B-609	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance.
B-868	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-910A2	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, yellowing resistance, chemical resistance, and steel wool resistance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance.
Matte finish paint
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-21C	Active amine photoinitiator	Low color, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, enhanced curing rate
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, good wettability, pleasant to the touch.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and a fine, smooth hand feel.
B-333	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, good matting effect, excellent wettability, and good flexibility.
B-572	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
B-650A	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, good matting effect, fast curing, and excellent wettability.
B-868	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-910A2	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, yellowing resistance, chemical resistance, and steel wool resistance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance.
Bright white paint
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-301	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent sandability.
B-302	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
B-601	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and high cost performance.
B-868	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance.
Adherent
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-05	Phosphate ester acrylate	Enhance adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-509B	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, excellent flexibility, and excellent pigment wetting.
B-531	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, impact resistance, excellent flexibility, and yellowing resistance.
B-535	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, excellent flexibility, and yellowing resistance.
B-546	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent flexibility.
B-590	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent pigment wetting.
Filler type
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective.
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost performance.
B-529	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, low shrinkage, and excellent resin compatibility.
Retouch color
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting.
Hardened
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-301	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent sandability.
B-302	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
B-601	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and high cost performance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance.
Matte
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, good wettability, pleasant to the touch.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and a fine, smooth hand feel.
B-329D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low irritation, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.
B-333	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, good matting effect, excellent wettability, and good flexibility.
B-650A	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, good matting effect, fast curing, and excellent wettability.
Solid-color paint
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-519	Self‑Curing Polyester Acrylate	Self‑initiated Photocuring Performance
B-530	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, excellent hydrophobicity, thixotropic properties, and improved ink mist.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting.
Yellowing resistance
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-431	Alicyclic Specialty Acrylates	Yellowing resistance, excellent wettability, low viscosity, fast curing.
Spray coating
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
Roller Coating
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-100	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, excellent chemical resistance, and rich body.
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective.
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost performance.
Solvent-free spraying
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-251	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, excellent flexibility, and good wetting performance with black ink pigments.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
LED-UV
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-21C	Active amine photoinitiator	Low color, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, enhanced curing rate
B-241	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast matting speed, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.
B-27	Active amine photoinitiator	Low color, benzene-free, low odor, antioxidant and anti‑polymerization.
B-570	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, benzene‑free, low odor, suitable for LED UV.
B-574	Polyester acrylate	Benzene-free, low odor, and VOC levels meet cigarette packaging standards.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
Excimer lamp
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-241	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast matting speed, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.
Skin feel
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion.
B-241	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast matting speed, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, good wettability, pleasant to the touch.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and a fine, smooth hand feel.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, good wettability, suitable for LED UV applications.
B-868	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon Photocurable Resin	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
Single-Component Recommendation
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
BM2223/TPGDA	Di(propylene glycol) diacrylate	Good flexibility and low volatility.
BM2224/EO-HDDA	Ethoxylated 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate	Good adhesion to plastics, excellent dilutability, and low volatility.
BM3231/TMPTA	Trimethylolpropane triacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, high gloss, and excellent wear resistance.
BM3235/PET3A	Pentaerythritol triacrylate	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, and excellent chemical resistance.
BM3380/3EO-TMPTA	Ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate	More flexible and less irritating than TMPTA.
BM6261/DPHA-80	Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and abrasion resistance, and water resistance.
BM6263/DPHA-90	Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and abrasion resistance, and water resistance.

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How to Choose Raw Materials for UV Wood Coatings (Part 2)

The core materials that make up UV wood coatings