Oct 16 2009
UV-curing coatings formulated with urethane acrylates combine the excellent property profile of polyurethane (PU) systems with the efficiency of photopolymerization. Special urethane acrylates can be used to formulate weatherproof UV coatings for metals or plastics, for example. Until recently, however, this required the use of binders whose viscosity was reduced by blending with reactive thinners, leading to degraded final film properties.
Thanks to allophanate technology, low-viscosity, monomer-free urethane acrylates can now be produced for weather-stable, radiation-curing coatings. Bayer MaterialScience thus underscores once again its claim as a leading supplier of urethane acrylates for high-performance applications.
Three novel coating raw materials from the Desmolux range will be introduced by Dr. Michael Ludewig, Helmut Kuczewski and Dr. Wolfgang Fischer, experts for UV-curing coatings at Bayer MaterialScience, at the RadTech Europe Conference in Nice, France, on October 14-15, 2009.
"Because they are free of reactive thinners, the three new binders provide our customers with the greatest possible freedom for formulating their coatings," says Ludewig. "Coatings whose property profile is determined mainly by the high-grade urethane acrylate fraction can be formulated to meet the most demanding requirements."
Coatings formulated with the first raw material from the allophanate line, Desmolux XP 2738, are characterized by very good chemical, scratch and abrasion resistance in addition to their weather stability. Even better performance can be achieved with Desmolux XP 2739. And coatings formulated with this binder cure particularly quickly. The third new raw material, Desmolux XP 2740, can be used in combination with other urethane acrylates to enhance the flexibility and elasticity of the resulting coating.