UV-cured coatings with enhanced scratch-resistance

Properties of hybrid UV-cured coatings investigated

Source: Sergij Petrunovski-Fotolia.com

In a new study "Enhancement of scratch-resistance properties of methacrylated UV-cured coatings”, Italian researchers investigated properties of the methacrylic based organic–inorganic hybrid coatings containing silica, titania or alumina domains. The inorganic domains were generated in-situ via a sol-gel process combined with UV light. Enhanced thermal and surface hardness properties were achieved. A certain effect was evident when an inorganic precursor was added both on UV-curing rate and final double bond conversion. An increase of the rigidity of the cured coating was achieved in the presence of the inorganic fillers with an increase of Tg values by increasing the metal alkoxide content in the photocurable formulations. Scratch test showed a general increase of first and second critical load values for hybrid coatings together with an increase in the Persoz hardness values. The complete study appeared in "Progress in Organic Coatings”, vol. 72, issue 3, pp. 287-291.

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