Composition of UV 3C Coatings


The ability of UV 3C coatings to form highly durable, wear‑resistant protective layers on electronic product surfaces stems from the synergistic interactions among their formulation components. This system comprises oligomers, reactive diluents, photoinitiators, and various additives, each of which plays a critical role in both the curing process and the final coating performance. A thorough understanding of these constituents and their underlying mechanisms of action facilitates an materials‑based comprehension of the origins of UV 3C coating properties.

I. Oligomers

Oligomers are a major component of UV‑curable 3C coatings, serving as the film-forming agent and determining the fundamental properties of the cured coating, such as hardness, flexibility, adhesion, chemical resistance, and weatherability.

In 3C coating formulations, commonly used oligomers include various types of polyurethane acrylates. Aliphatic polyurethane acrylates with different functionality can deliver distinct crosslinking densities and hardnesses. High‑functionality resins provide higher crosslinking density and hardness, while low‑functionality resins strike a balance between hardness and flexibility. By blending resins of varying functionality, it is possible to achieve an optimized combination of hardness and toughness.

Epoxy acrylates are also an important class of oligomers, characterized by excellent chemical resistance, strong adhesion, and superior pigment wetting. They are commonly used in applications requiring high gloss and hardness. To meet diverse performance requirements, a variety of modified epoxy acrylate products are available, including amine‑modified, phosphate‑ester‑modified, and siloxane‑modified formulations.

II. Reactive Diluents

In UV 3C coatings, reactive diluents serve to adjust viscosity, bringing the coating to a workable application state. Unlike the organic solvents used in conventional solvent-based coatings, reactive diluents participate in the photopolymerization reaction and become incorporated into the polymer network; consequently, they do not volatilize into the atmosphere as solvents do—this is a key source of the environmentally friendly attributes of UV coatings.

Commonly used reactive diluents include various acrylic monomers. The functionality of the monomer directly affects the curing rate and the degree of crosslinking: higher functionality leads to faster curing, greater crosslink density, and improved coating hardness and chemical resistance. By selecting monomers with different functionalities, it is possible to tailor both the application performance of the coating and the properties of the cured film.

III. Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators are the key components that enable rapid curing in UV 3C coatings. Under ultraviolet irradiation, photoinitiators absorb light energy and decompose to generate free radicals; these highly reactive species initiate polymerization of oligomers and monomers, transforming the liquid coating into a solid film within seconds.

Commonly used photoinitiators encompass a variety of types; each type exhibits distinct absorption characteristics across different ultraviolet wavelengths, necessitating selection based on the specific curing light source. In practice, multiple photoinitiators are often blended to strike a balance between surface drying and deep‑layer curing.

IV. Additives

Although additives are used in small quantities in formulations, they significantly influence the coating’s application performance and film quality. Common types of additives include leveling agents, defoamers, matting agents, and surface slip agents.

Leveling agents are used to enhance the spreadability of coatings on substrate surfaces, reducing brush marks and orange‑peel defects. Defoamers help suppress and eliminate air bubbles that form during mixing, pumping, and spraying. By incorporating various types of additives, formulations can be optimized to meet specific application methods and aesthetic requirements.

V. Conclusion

The formulation of UV 3C coatings comprises four major categories: oligomers, reactive diluents, photoinitiators, and additives. Oligomers, serving as the film-forming agents, determine the coating’s fundamental properties; multifunctional polyurethane acrylates and epoxy acrylates are the key components in this category. Reactive diluents modulate viscosity and participate in the curing reaction, playing a crucial role in achieving environmental‑friendly characteristics. Photoinitiators initiate the polymerization process, enabling rapid curing. Although used in small quantities, additives significantly influence application performance and surface quality. Together, these components synergistically establish the performance foundation of UV 3C coatings for surface finishing in the consumer electronics sector.

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Bosheng Related Product Recommendations – 3C Coatings

General-purpose

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-102

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, chemical resistance, contains 15% TMPTA.

B-151

Modified epoxy acrylate

Low halogen, yellowing-resistant, excellent plating performance, and strong adhesion.

B-165

Modified epoxy acrylate

Good flexibility and strong adhesion

B-216

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high fullness, and excellent toughness.

B-368

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Good toughness, excellent leveling, excellent bend resistance, and excellent heat resistance.

B-574C

Polyester acrylate

Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability, suitable for LED UV.

B-601

Aromatic polyurethane acrylate

High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost-effectiveness.

B-6019

Special functional group acrylate

Good leveling, excellent wettability, resistant to boiling water, and superior color dispersion.

B-609

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high hardness, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance.

B-615A

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, excellent toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.

B-619W

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.

B-6380N

Special functional group acrylate

Excellent adhesion to plastics, strong hiding power, and improved paint film appearance.

B-919B

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, and outstanding chemical and wear resistance.

Matte

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-572

Polyester acrylate

Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability, suitable for LED UV.

B-650A

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, fast curing, and good wettability.

Wearable device

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-6211

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high hardness, scratch-resistant, and free of organotin.

Hand feel

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-328M

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low gloss, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.

B-868

Organosilicon photocurable resin

Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain-resistant.

B-868H

Organosilicon photocurable resin

Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain-resistant.

Large-area spraying

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-374

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Good flexibility, excellent leveling, resistant to abrasion and chemicals, and resistant to yellowing.

Car interior

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-6063

Special functional group acrylate

High molecular weight, low curing shrinkage

B-6210

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, chemical resistance, environmental resistance, and dual photothermal curing.

B-6263

Special functional group acrylate

Fast curing, high build, boil-resistant, and excellent toughness.

B-916

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, and steel-wool resistance.

B-919B

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, and outstanding chemical and wear resistance.

Resistant to steel wool

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-910A2

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, yellowing resistance, chemical resistance, and steel-wool resistance.

B-916

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, and steel-wool resistance.

B-919B

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, and outstanding chemical and wear resistance.

Oil-resistant pen

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-868

Organosilicon photocurable resin

Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain-resistant.

B-868H

Organosilicon photocurable resin

Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain-resistant.

Battery casing

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-431

Cycloaliphatic Specialty Acrylate

Yellowing-resistant, excellent wettability, low viscosity, fast curing

B-548

Polyester acrylate

Withstands high temperatures of 250–280°C.

Solid color paint

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-519

Self-curing polyester acrylate

Self-initiated photopolymerization performance

B-560

Polyester acrylate

Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting.

Yellowing resistance

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-151

Modified epoxy acrylate

Low halogen, yellowing-resistant, excellent plating performance, and strong adhesion.

B-160D

Modified epoxy acrylate

Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.

B-216

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, high fullness, and excellent toughness.

B-296

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast curing, chemical resistance, yellowing resistance, impact resistance

B-431

Cycloaliphatic Specialty Acrylate

Yellowing-resistant, excellent wettability, low viscosity, fast curing

Monomer Recommendation

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

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 chemical resistance.

BM3380 (3EO-TMPTA)

Pentaerythritol triacrylate

More flexible and less irritating than TMPTA.

BM4241 (DiTMPTA-80)

Bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) tetraacrylate

High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.

BM4242 (Di-TMPTA)

Bis-trimethylolpropane tetraacrylate

High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.

BM6261 (DPHA-80)

Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate

High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.

BM6263 (DPHA-90)

Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate

High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.

 

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