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How to Choose UV 3C Coatings (Part 1)

Release time:

2026-06-24 06:44

UV 3C coatings come in a wide variety, with significant differences across formulations, performance characteristics, and application scenarios. Improper selection can result in substandard coating performance, reduced production efficiency, or uncontrolled costs. Making the right choice requires a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors, including the intended application, substrate type, performance requirements, and environmental considerations. This article will outline specific strategies for selecting UV 3C coatings, focusing on two key aspects: application context and product positioning, as well as substrate type.

I. Select Based on Use Case and Product Positioning

Different categories of 3C electronic products have varying performance requirements for coatings, and the intended application scenario is the primary factor in selecting the appropriate coating.

Smartphone and tablet housings must simultaneously meet a range of performance requirements, including high wear resistance, scratch resistance, sweat resistance, and aesthetic appeal. For devices that are frequently handled, the coating must withstand prolonged exposure to users’ perspiration, while also offering robust scratch resistance when subjected to everyday contact with hard objects such as keys and coins. Consequently, these products should prioritize coating formulations that deliver high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and superior chemical resistance; aliphatic polyurethane acrylate systems are particularly favored for their well‑balanced overall performance.

Laptops and wearable devices place particularly high demands on coating adhesion and tactile feel. Wearables, which remain in prolonged contact with the skin, require coatings that are resistant to sweat and deliver a comfortable touch. For products that are frequently handled, surface texture significantly impacts user experience; therefore, it may be advisable to opt for excimer UV‑curable resins or coating formulations incorporating tactile‑enhancing additives to achieve a refined, skin‑like finish.

Moreover, products with different market positioning exhibit varying environmental requirements for coatings. Among international brands, end‑users have already adopted waterborne UV coatings to a significant extent, with their usage far surpassing that of solvent‑based UV coatings; in contrast, domestic manufacturers, constrained by equipment limitations and cost pressures, face relatively limited incentives to shift from solvent‑based to waterborne formulations. This disparity should also be factored into the selection process.

II. Selection Based on Substrate Type

The substrate is a critical factor in selecting the appropriate UV‑curable 3C coating. Consumer electronics housings are made from a variety of plastic substrates, and each substrate exhibits differing adhesion and compatibility with coatings.

ABS, PC, and PC/ABS alloys are commonly used base materials in 3C products. For these plastics, coatings must exhibit strong adhesion, excellent wear resistance, scratch resistance, and an appealing aesthetic finish. When selecting a coating, verify that it is compatible with these substrate types, and, if necessary, conduct small‑batch testing to confirm adhesion.

When applying waterborne UV coatings to plastic substrates, special attention must be paid to the issue of substrate etching. The resins in waterborne UV coatings exhibit high reactivity, and some formulations may contain highly aggressive UV‑reactive monomers that can cause excessive degradation of the substrate under baking and UV curing conditions, leading to defects such as mottling and uneven gloss. In recent years, the increased use of recycled materials has further reduced substrate stability, thereby heightening the risk of substrate etching. Consequently, for substrates with a high content of recycled material, it is essential to assess the coating’s corrosivity and conduct thorough validation.

If the substrate features complex geometries such as deep holes or grooves, shadowed areas must be addressed to ensure adequate curing. In such cases, dual-cure technologies—such as light–moisture curing or light–heat curing—are commonly employed: the majority of the surface is rapidly cured by UV exposure, followed by a dark‑cure process to achieve complete curing in shadowed regions.

III. Conclusion

When selecting a UV‑3C coating, it is essential to start with the product’s market positioning and the substrate’s characteristics. Different categories of electronic products place varying priorities on coating performance: smartphones and tablets should prioritize wear resistance, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance; wearable devices should emphasize adhesion and a comfortable tactile experience; and international brands must also account for the trend toward water‑based formulations. Regarding substrates, ABS, PC, and their alloys are commonly used; during selection, ensure adequate coating adhesion. For substrates containing recycled content, assess the risk of undercoating issues. For parts with complex geometries, consider the challenges of shadow curing. In practice, we recommend conducting small‑scale sample testing to validate the feasibility of your chosen formulation, thereby ensuring that the selected coating meets the product’s requirements.

Disclaimer: The above content has been compiled from publicly available sources and is provided for reference only. If any infringement occurs, please contact us, and we will address it promptly.

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 wetting, 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	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon photocurable resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
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	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon photocurable resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
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-hydroxymethylpropyl) 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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How to Choose UV 3C Coatings (Part 2)

Disadvantages of UV 3C Coatings