Low-Energy Curing of Coatings Using Ultraviolet Light
"In UV-curing applications, a thin liquid coating is applied to a surface and, under the influence of a bright light, it dries instantaneously," said Neckers. "In a typical commercial line, for example, surfaces can be dried on conveyor belts that move at 1,000 or more feet per minute."
Neckers and his team of researchers have developed a new series of catalysts that allows curing of epoxy soybean oil as a coating. Previous catalysts always produced colored products, but the new developments alleviate this problem and provide a thin, colorless film.