Solutions for Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 8)


UV wood coatings occupy a prominent position in the furniture and wood-products finishing industry due to their outstanding advantages, such as rapid curing and environmental friendliness combined with energy efficiency. However, during actual production and application, these coatings often encounter undesirable issues, such as stickiness caused by incomplete curing, which severely compromises the aesthetic appeal and service life of the finished products. This paper examines the problem of stickiness resulting from inadequate curing in UV wood coatings and explores effective solutions to enhance coating quality.

I. Precise Assurance of Energy Supply

Insufficient UV energy is the primary cause of tackiness. As the lamp operates over time, its spectral intensity gradually declines; when the energy falls below the activation threshold required by the photoinitiator, the polymerization reaction remains incomplete. It is recommended to establish a lamp usage log and replace UV lamps on a regular schedule to ensure that the light source intensity remains adequate, thereby enabling complete polymerization.

An excessively high conveyor belt speed can result in insufficient dwell time of the coating film under the UV lamps, leading to inadequate total energy absorption. The conveyor speed should be precisely set based on the coating formulation and film thickness to ensure adequate cumulative energy exposure. Similarly, mounting the UV lamps too high can cause a substantial reduction in the energy reaching the coating surface; the lamp height must be adjusted to within the recommended range. Regularly use an energy meter to verify the lamp output, ensuring that the curing energy meets process specifications.

II. Rational Control of Coating Thickness

For pigment-based UV coatings or high-fill primers, excessive coating thickness limits the penetration depth of ultraviolet light. Once the surface layer has absorbed most of the UV radiation, the photoinitiators in the underlying layers no longer receive sufficient energy, resulting in incomplete curing of the bottom coat. Therefore, the single-coat application thickness should be appropriately controlled based on the coating formulation and the type of pigment used. For applications requiring thick coatings, it is advisable to apply multiple thin coats instead of a single thick coat, allowing each coat to fully cure before applying the next.

The absorption and scattering of ultraviolet light by pigments are major factors contributing to insufficient deep-layer curing. Pigments such as carbon black and titanium dioxide strongly absorb or scatter UV radiation, creating a shielding effect. When formulating tinted coatings, the impact of pigment type and dosage on curing speed should be carefully considered; where necessary, the amount of photoinitiator can be increased, or a photoinitiator formulation sensitive to long-wave UV radiation can be selected to enhance penetration.

III. Effective Countermeasures Against Chemical Inhibition

Oxygen in the air rapidly reacts with the free radicals generated by the photoinitiator, consuming these active radicals and preventing them from initiating monomer polymerization. As a result, the degree of polymerization in the very thin surface layer remains extremely low, leading to persistent tackiness. To address oxygen inhibition, the following measures can be employed: incorporate reactive amine-based photoinitiator accelerators into the coating formulation to increase the surface cure rate; establish an inert-gas-protected zone prior to curing and purge the chamber with nitrogen or carbon dioxide to displace the ambient air; use high-intensity irradiation to enable the surface layer to quickly pass through the oxygen-inhibition stage; and for topcoats, select resin systems with excellent resistance to oxygen inhibition.

IV. Adaptation and Optimization of the Coating System

The photopolymerization characteristics of the coating itself directly affect the curing performance. It is essential to select a coating system that is compatible with the curing equipment, ensuring that the absorption spectrum of the photoinitiator matches the emission spectrum of the curing lamp. For dark-colored or highly filled coatings, photoinitiators sensitive to long-wave ultraviolet light can be used to enhance penetration depth. During storage, the coating should be protected from high temperatures and direct sunlight to prevent premature decomposition and deactivation of the photoinitiator. Prior to application, the coating must be thoroughly stirred to ensure uniform distribution of all components.

V. Conclusion

The issue of poor curing and stickiness in UV wood coatings arises from the complex interplay of multiple factors, including energy input, coating formulation, and chemical interactions. By comprehensively implementing measures such as ensuring adequate energy exposure, controlling coating thickness, minimizing pigment shading effects, isolating the influence of oxygen, and strengthening process monitoring and inspection, the problem of inadequate curing and stickiness can be effectively addressed. The implementation of these measures will help improve coating quality, enhance product aesthetics and market value, and provide reliable protection and attractive decoration for wood products.

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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 anti-polymerization, 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 anti-polymerization, 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 wettability, and good 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 wettability, and good 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 anti-polymerization, 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 meet 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 curing, 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 curing, 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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