What Are the Types of UV Wood Coatings (Part 2)?


The performance of UV wood coatings depends not only on application techniques but, more fundamentally, on resin chemistry and the curing mechanism. As the film-forming component, the resin establishes the coating’s basic properties, such as hardness, flexibility, and weather resistance; meanwhile, the curing mechanism determines critical parameters like cure speed, surface-drying characteristics, and adhesion. This article primarily presents a classification based on resin type and curing mechanism.

I. Classification by Resin Type

Resins serve as the film-forming agents in UV wood coatings, and their chemical structure determines the fundamental performance of the coating. Different resin systems each have distinct characteristics, and in practical applications, performance optimization is often achieved through blending multiple resins.

1. Epoxy acrylate system

Epoxy acrylate systems are prepared by the reaction of epoxy resins with acrylic acid and represent one of the most widely used UV-curable resins. They exhibit rapid curing, high hardness, and excellent chemical resistance, making them suitable for primers and topcoats that demand superior abrasion resistance. Epoxy acrylate coatings form dense films with good resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents, as well as strong adhesion. However, their flexibility is relatively limited due to the rigidity of the molecular chains; when used alone, the coating film may crack under significant external impact. Therefore, they are often blended with flexible resins such as polyurethane acrylates to enhance toughness.

2. Polyurethane acrylate system

Polyurethane acrylate systems combine the properties of polyurethanes and acrylic esters, offering excellent flexibility and weather resistance. Based on the structure of the isocyanate component, they can be classified into aromatic and aliphatic types. Aromatic polyurethane acrylates exhibit high strength and lower cost but are prone to yellowing under UV exposure; in contrast, aliphatic polyurethane acrylates lack aromatic rings, providing markedly superior resistance to yellowing and maintaining clear, transparent coatings over long-term use, making them particularly suitable for light-colored wood products and outdoor applications. According to the degree of functionality, these systems can be further categorized as di-functional, tri-functional, hexa-functional, and nona-functional formulations: the higher the functionality, the greater the crosslink density and hardness, but the lower the flexibility. Polyurethane acrylate systems also demonstrate outstanding abrasion resistance, making them widely used in high-end furniture, wooden crafts, and other applications that demand both flexibility and aesthetic appeal.

3. Polyester Acrylate System

Polyester acrylate systems are prepared by reacting polyester polyols with acrylic acid, resulting in molecular chains that contain ester groups and exhibit excellent adhesion to polar substrates such as wood. Polyester acrylates possess good flexibility and wettability, effectively wetting wood surfaces and penetrating deep into the wood grain to form strong adhesion. They also offer excellent pigment dispersibility, making them an ideal base resin for formulating tinted coatings; they ensure uniform pigment dispersion throughout the coating, thereby guaranteeing a vivid and even paint film color. In addition, their moderate curing speed facilitates control of leveling during application, resulting in a smooth and glossy paint film surface.

4. Pure acrylic resin system

Pure acrylic resin systems are copolymerized from acrylate monomers and exhibit excellent weather resistance as well as outstanding gloss and color retention, remaining resistant to chalking and yellowing even under prolonged outdoor exposure. However, their hardness and solvent resistance are slightly lower than those of epoxy and polyurethane systems, making them more suitable for outdoor wood products and applications with stringent weathering requirements.

II. Classification by Curing Mechanism

Based on the mechanism of active species formation during curing, UV wood coatings can be classified into two main categories: radical-curing types and cationic-curing types.

1. Free-radical curing type

Radical-curing UV coatings are the most widely used type. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, the photoinitiator decomposes to generate free radicals, which then initiate chain polymerization of the unsaturated double bonds in the resin and monomers, ultimately forming a crosslinked network. Radical curing is rapid, with complete cure typically achieved within seconds; the system is insensitive to moisture and offers great flexibility in formulation design. However, oxygen inhibition of polymerization is a significant issue: when the surface is exposed to air, curing may be incomplete, necessitating the addition of anti-oxygen inhibitors or the use of an inert gas atmosphere to mitigate this effect.

2. Cationic curing type

Cationic UV coatings utilize cationic photoinitiators that, upon exposure to ultraviolet light, generate highly acidic cationic active species, which initiate ring-opening polymerization of epoxy groups or vinyl ether groups. Cationic curing is insensitive to oxygen, exhibits excellent surface cure performance, minimal volumetric shrinkage, and outstanding adhesion; the cured film also demonstrates good heat resistance and chemical resistance. However, the curing speed is relatively slow, and the coating is sensitive to moisture, necessitating strict control of moisture content in the formulation. Cationic UV coatings offer unique advantages in specialized applications such as high-precision coating and thick-film coating.

III. Conclusion

Resin type and curing mechanism are the two core dimensions that fundamentally determine the performance of UV wood coatings. Different resin systems—such as epoxy acrylates, polyurethane acrylates, polyester acrylates, and pure acrylics—each possess unique characteristics, offering a wide range of options for tailoring coating performance; likewise, radical curing and cationic curing each have distinct advantages, making them suitable for different application requirements. A thorough understanding of these classifications enables precise selection of UV wood coating products that are best suited to specific application scenarios, based on the intrinsic properties of the materials.

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Bossin 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, contains 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-effectiveness.

Sanding primer

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 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-effectiveness.

Apply primer

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-02

Phosphate ester acrylate

Enhances adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.

B-05

Phosphate ester acrylate

Enhances adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 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-effectiveness.

B-535

Polyester acrylate

Excellent adhesion, rapid curing, good 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, contains 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-effectiveness.

B-529

Polyester acrylate

Good adhesion, low shrinkage, and excellent resin compatibility.

B-560

Polyester acrylate

Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting

Gloss topcoat

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 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 photosensitizing promoter

Low color number, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, and enhanced curing rate

B-301

Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate

Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent grindability.

B-302

Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate

Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.

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 performance.

B-609

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

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

B-868

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.

B-868H

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent 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 wear resistance.

Matte topcoat

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 photosensitizing promoter

Low color number, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, and enhanced curing rate

B-328M

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

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

B-328R

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.

B-333

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and excellent flexibility.

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.

B-868

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.

B-868H

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent 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 wear resistance.

Bright White Finish

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 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 grindability.

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, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.

B-601

Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate

High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost performance.

B-868

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.

B-868H

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.

B-912

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

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

Adherent

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-05

Phosphate ester acrylate

Enhances adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.

B-509B

Polyester acrylate

Good adhesion, good flexibility, and excellent pigment wetting.

B-531

Polyester acrylate

Good adhesion, impact resistance, excellent flexibility, and yellowing resistance.

B-535

Polyester acrylate

Excellent adhesion, rapid curing, good flexibility, and yellowing resistance.

B-546

Polyester acrylate

Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent flexibility.

B-590

Polyester acrylate

Excellent adhesion, rapid curing, and good 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, contains 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-effectiveness.

B-529

Polyester acrylate

Good adhesion, low shrinkage, and excellent resin compatibility.

Color correction

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-560

Polyester acrylate

Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting

Harden

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA

B-301

Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate

Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent grindability.

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, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.

B-601

Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate

High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost performance.

B-912

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

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

Matte

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-328R

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.

B-329D

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low irritation, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant feel.

B-333

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and excellent flexibility.

B-650A

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

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

Solid-color paint

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-519

Self-curing polyester acrylate

Self-initiated photopolymerization performance

B-530

Polyester acrylate

Low viscosity, excellent hydrophobicity, thixotropy, and improved ink misting

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

Cycloaliphatic Specialty Acrylates

Yellowing resistance, excellent wettability, low viscosity, and fast curing

Dip coating

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-160D

Modified epoxy acrylate

Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.

Roll 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 high fullness.

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 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-effectiveness.

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 of black ink pigments.

B-520

Polyester acrylate

Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective

B-574C

Polyester acrylate

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

LED-UV

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-113

Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate

High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA

B-21C

Active amine photosensitizing promoter

Low color number, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, and enhanced curing rate

B-27

Active amine photosensitizing promoter

Low color number, 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 compliant with cigarette pack standards.

B-574C

Polyester acrylate

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

Excimer lamp

Product Model/English Abbreviation

Product Name/Product Type

Product Features

B-241

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast drying, 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, contains 20% TPGDA

B-165

Modified epoxy acrylate

Good flexibility and strong adhesion

B-241

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Fast drying, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.

B-328M

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

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

B-328R

Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate

Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.

B-574C

Polyester acrylate

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

B-868

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.

B-868H

Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin

Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.

Single-item 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, good 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)

Tripropylene Glycol Triacrylate

More flexible and less irritating than TMPTA.

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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