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How to Choose UV 3C Coatings (Part 2)

Release time:

2026-06-24 16:49

Selecting UV‑curable 3C coatings requires consideration not only of product positioning and substrate type, but also of specific performance criteria and application conditions. Hardness, abrasion resistance, adhesion, and chemical resistance are fundamental requirements for surface coatings on 3C electronic products, while environmental regulations and available application equipment further constrain the selection process. This article outlines a systematic approach to choosing UV‑curable 3C coatings, focusing on three key aspects: performance specifications, environmental and application considerations, and validation of the selected formulation.

I. Select Based on Performance Requirements

3C electronic products have stringent performance requirements for surface coatings, and the selection of coating materials should be based on the product’s intended market positioning to define the relevant performance specifications.

Hardness and wear resistance are fundamental requirements for 3C coatings. Coating hardness typically needs to reach H or higher, and the RCA tape abrasion test must show no abnormalities after at least 200 cycles. A high crosslinking density combined with nano‑fillers can effectively enhance scratch resistance. For applications with even stricter wear‑resistance demands, coating formulations incorporating wear‑resistant additives or high‑functionality resins may be selected.

Adhesion must meet the 5B rating in the cross‑hatch test (100/100 grid with no coating loss). For substrates with low surface energy, a primer formulation that provides superior adhesion promotion should be selected. The performance of the primer directly affects the reliability of the entire coating system.

Chemical resistance refers to the coating’s ability to withstand degradation caused by sweat, alcohol, cosmetics, and other substances. Alcohol‑resistance testing requires at least 1,000 wipes, while high‑temperature, high‑humidity exposure must show no abnormalities after 48 hours under specified conditions. Waterborne UV coatings exhibit relatively poor stain resistance due to their resin structure’s pronounced hydrophilicity, making it difficult to remove stains such as human sweat and fingerprints; therefore, when selecting a coating, it is essential to balance environmental considerations with performance requirements.

Special functional requirements must also be taken into account. If the product requires an anti‑fingerprint finish, a coating formulation containing fluorine‑ or silicon‑based hydrophobic components should be selected; for antibacterial functionality, products formulated with antibacterial agents are recommended. For flexible devices such as foldable screens, the coating must exhibit excellent bend‑resistance; flexible systems based on hyperbranched resins, among others, may be considered.

II. Selection Based on Environmental Protection and Construction Requirements

The influence of environmental regulations on coating selection is becoming increasingly pronounced. Against this backdrop, waterborne UV coatings have emerged as a key area of development.

Waterborne UV coatings use water as the primary diluent, resulting in VOC levels far lower than those of solvent-based systems, and they combine the dual advantages of rapid UV curing with the environmental friendliness and low toxicity of waterborne formulations. However, waterborne systems can encounter challenges during application, such as poor wetting, substrate pick‑up, and difficulty achieving adequate film thickness. Moreover, the application equipment must meet specific requirements, and pre‑baking times are significantly extended—both of which entail line modifications and additional capital investment.

Solvent-based UV coatings feature well-established formulation systems and a broader application window, delivering more consistent coating performance. They continue to offer distinct advantages, particularly in chemical resistance, stain resistance, and tactile feel. For applications with extremely stringent performance requirements or constrained application conditions, solvent-based solutions remain a viable option.

Equipment selection is also a key consideration. Automatic spraying is well suited for high-volume production and delivers excellent coating thickness uniformity, while manual spraying is ideal for small batches or workpieces with complex geometries. If the production line was originally designed for solvent-based coatings, switching to waterborne coatings may entail equipment modification costs, which should be carefully evaluated.

III. Selection Verification and Testing

Regardless of the selection method employed, the appropriateness of the chosen option must be confirmed through practical verification. Prior to large‑scale procurement, preliminary sample testing should be conducted to assess whether the coating meets the required standards for adhesion, hardness, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance on the target substrate.

The core test items recommended for verification include: adhesion cross‑hatch test (must achieve a rating of 5B), pencil hardness test (must reach H or higher), RCA tape abrasion test, alcohol‑resistance wipe test, and high‑temperature/high‑humidity resistance test. For outdoor applications or products intended for long‑term use, additional tests should be included, such as thermal shock resistance and weathering resistance.

If the coating is intended for vacuum deposition or special‑effect processes, its plating compatibility and process suitability must also be verified. Systematic validation ensures that the selected coating formulation meets the performance requirements throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.

IV. Conclusion

Selecting a UV 3C coating requires a comprehensive evaluation across three dimensions: performance requirements, environmental and application considerations, and validation testing. Hardness, abrasion resistance, adhesion, and chemical resistance are fundamental criteria, while specific functional needs dictate the choice of the appropriate coating type. Waterborne UV coatings offer environmental advantages but have a narrower application window, whereas solvent-based UV coatings still excel in performance and ease of application. Application equipment must be compatible with the coating type, and switching to a waterborne system may entail additional retrofitting costs. In practice, it is advisable to conduct small‑scale trials to validate the feasibility of the proposed solution; only by weighing these factors holistically can you select a UV 3C coating that best meets your product’s requirements and application context.

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	Good leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon photocurable resin	Good 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	Excellent flexibility, good 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‑water resistance, 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 resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon photocurable resin	Good 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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Application Scope of UV 3C Coatings

How to Choose UV 3C Coatings (Part 1)