UV-CURING OF POWDER COATINGS

Ultraviolet curing (commonly known as UV curing) is

a photochemical process in which high-intensity
ultraviolet light is used to instantly cure or dry inks,
coatings or adhesives.
UV curing has been shown
1.to increase production speed
2.reduce reject rates
3.improve scratch and solvent resistance
4.facilitate superior bonding
When compared to conventional curing
systems.
CONVENTIONAL OVEN:
A convection oven uses a heat source, most
commonly a gas burner, and a fan to heat the
interior of an insulated enclosure. Different
powder materials require different cure
temperatures, commonly in a range between
170 - 200 C. The part is heated by the hot air in
the oven and it in turn conducts heat into the
coating.
 Convection cure time may be as short as 10
minutes or as long as 30minutes, depending on
the mass of the substrate and the cure
requirements of the powder.

NOTE: The generally accepted standard for curing is

20 minutes @ 400 deg. F
UV-curable coatings are famous for their very fast curing
mechanism and high production speed. It is this
crosslinking technology that is used in UV-curable powder
coatings after melting and flow out of the powder under
the influence of heat, the molten film is cross-linked by
exposing it to UV light. In that way, curing becomes a
question of seconds instead of minutes as is the case for
thermo-hardenable powders. The absence of thermal cure
during the melting of a UV powder allows optimum flow
out, making smooth finishes achievable at relatively low
temperatures.
S.no Oven curing UV / IR curing
1. Long cure time instantaneous cure
2. Long cure cycles, with faster curing cycles with
high temperature lower temperature
requirement requirement
3. Not suitable for heat Suitable for heat
sensitive material sensitive substrates
such as wood, plastics
4. Less productivity speed and productivity
compared to UV curing.
5. Time and energy Time, energy, and
consuming space savings.
6. Thermal crosslinking Fast crosslinking
occurs at high occurs at temperature
temperatures ( >150 range of (90-130 deg.
deg. C) C)
7. Curing time : 25-30 min Curing time : 1-3 min
(depends on the
substrate)
UV and IR curing is commonly used for heat
sensitive substrate such as medium density
fiberwood(MDF), plastic, wood appliances.
So on comparing the properties of MDF with
aluminium,
MDF Aluminium
Youngs 4Gpa 69Gpa
modulus
Density 0.75g/cm3 2.8g/cm3
Strength to 24 KN-m/kg 43 to 89 KN-
weight ratio m/kg
Thermal 0.24m2/s 67m2/s
diffusivity
Thermal 0.3W/m-k 170W/m-k
conductivity