What Are UV Curable Resins?
Comments Off on What Are UV Curable Resins?You may be familiar with the videos of artists and crafters pouring colorful liquid resin over a wooden slab to create a beautiful table inlaid with color. UV curable resins are often used in the art world, but they are particularly useful in a wide range of industrial applications, including the medical field.
UV curable resins polymerize and cure quickly when exposed to ultraviolet light emissions. These specialized resins are sought after because they dry faster than normal resins and are versatile enough to reduce production costs. Because of their ability to conform to applications UV curable resins are used to create great works of art, to aid in the conduction of electricity, and even in the medical field to help improve the quality of life for patients.
What Are UV Curable Resins Used For?
UV curable resin consists of a mixture of powder and chemicals that may be colored and textured to produce a unique finish. In addition to art applications, UV curable resin is being increasingly adopted into a wide range of industries to provide durable coatings and adhesives. Some of the industries that often use UV curable resins include:
UV Curable Resin in The Medical Industry
For pressure-sensitive and bonding applications in the medical industry, UV curable resins are an excellent option due to their flexibility and resiliency. UV curable resins are often used to bond syringes, endoscopes, guidewire tips, and even accessories for heart surgery. Devices like hearing aids can be covered with UV curable resin to assist with durability and keep the electronic pieces clean.
UV Curable Resin in the Electronics Industry
In the electronics field, electricians use the resin to bond and assemble components, create seals and gaskets, potting, masking, and conformational coating. Using UV curable resins in electronics creates stronger, more cost-effective electrical components that have adequate protection for sensitive parts.
UV Curable Resin for Graphic Arts
Resin in art is not a new concept. However, there are new ways UV curable resin is being used by artists. T-Shirt printers have begun to use the UV/EB curable inks to ensure a strong bond to the materials, resulting in longer-lasting designs. UV curable inks provide several advantages over water-based or solvent-based inks because they dry faster, have little or no VOC emissions, and have lower energy requirements.
UV Curable Resin for 3D Printing
Resin-based 3D printing uses UV curable resins to create designs from a digital file. The quick-drying abilities of UV curable resin are perfect for 3D printers, allowing the shapes to maintain their form during printing. Material jetting consists of ejecting resin droplets onto the printing platform while simultaneously applying UV light, resulting in an instant cure. This technique is quickly becoming one of the fastest and most precise 3D printing techniques.
Advantages and Disadvantages of UV Curable Resins
As with any material, there are advantages and disadvantages to its use. UV curable resins offer many advantages, including:
- Quick-drying
- More environmentally friendly than solvents
- Less shrinkage than other resin curing methods
- Stability
It is important to understand the limitations that come with working with UV cure resins to ensure they are suitable for your application. Limitations include:
- The resin must be applied in thin layers
- Resin has to be cured with UV light quickly
- Cost is greater than air-dry resin
How Long Does UV Resin Take to Cure?
One of the biggest advantages of UV curable resin is its ability to cure quickly. How long does it take to cure? Depending on the UV source, the thickness of the resin, and the design of the product, it can take anywhere from five minutes to a few hours. Other resins can take days to cure, making this a time-saving option. The best way to get a clear understanding of the UV resin’s cure time is by reviewing the original manufacturer’s specifications, or to get in touch with their team.
Learn More About UV Curable Resins
Founded in 1944, Toagosei America is a trusted chemical product company. We specialize in the production of polymers, oligomers, adhesives, and other commodity chemicals that are used to produce high-quality UV curable resins, as one of many examples. Browse our wide variety of UV curing resin solutions in our catalog to find the right fit for your requirements. For more information on how UV curable resins can be implemented in your application, contact Toagosei America today.