Selecting the right resin system can significantly influence the performance, durability, and processing characteristics of your final product. For manufacturers and formulators in industries such as electronics, automotive, construction, printing, and consumer goods, understanding the difference between acrylic resin vs epoxy resin is an important part of choosing the most effective material. Both technologies support UV curing and electron beam curing, yet their chemical properties and end-use behaviors differ in meaningful ways.
Toagosei America supplies high-performance UV curable monomers and oligomers that allow customers to tailor adhesion, flexibility, reactivity, and viscosity to meet their exact needs. Our Aronix® and Aron Oxetane® product families give formulators the building blocks they need to achieve these performance characteristics with reliable, high-quality raw materials.
Comparing Chemical Properties & Performance
Let’s break down the key differences between acrylic resin and epoxy resin:
Acrylic Resin
Acrylic resins used in UV curable systems are thermoset materials that react rapidly when exposed to UV light. They are valued for clarity, weatherability, and the ability to balance hardness with flexibility. Acrylic resin is also known for its fast cure response, making it suitable for high-throughput processes that require immediate handling. Because acrylic materials remain thermoplastic, they can be reheated if required.
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resins used in UV curing are thermosetting materials that form strong, crosslinked networks during polymerization. Once cured, they cannot be reshaped, which results in excellent dimensional stability and long-term durability. Epoxy-based systems provide strong adhesion to metals, plastics, glass, and other substrates, while also offering high chemical and heat resistance. These traits make epoxy resins desirable in applications where robust mechanical strength or long-term environmental resistance is required.
When comparing acrylic resin vs epoxy resin, acrylics often provide faster curing and greater flexibility, while epoxies offer higher strength and better resistance to harsh conditions. The right choice depends on the intended application and specific performance requirements.
Ideal Applications for Acrylic and Epoxy Systems
UV curable formulations are used across many industries for fast processing, strong adhesion, and durable surface performance. Both acrylic and epoxy UV systems support coatings, adhesives, encapsulation, and potting materials, helping protect components and improve product reliability. Their rapid curing and material versatility make them suitable for applications such as:
- 3D printing
- Consumer displays for digital cameras and automotive interiors
- Medical and laboratory instruments
- Packaging and labeling finishes
- Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Scratch-resistant metal, plastic, wood, or concrete coatings
- Semiconductors and microelectronics
- Signage and graphics
UV-Curable Formulations From Toagosei America Inc.
Toagosei America provides a comprehensive portfolio of UV curable resins designed to support specialized performance requirements. Our key product offerings include:
Aronix®
Aronix® is our line of specialized acrylic monomers and oligomers, which includes raw materials such as polyester acrylates, urethane acrylates, and special acrylates. They can be specifically engineered to meet the requirements of various functions and uses, allowing for precise customization of adhesives, coatings, elastomers, inks, and sealants.
The chemical structure of Aronix® can be tailored according to preferred performance and physical characteristics, such as:
- Adhesion
- Chemical resistance
- Flexibility
- Reactivity
- Viscosity
- Weatherability
Aron Oxetane®
Working in combination with epoxy resins, Aron Oxetane® can enhance polymeric characteristics to optimize performance in a wide variety of applications. Its unique formulation is highly versatile and compatible with all types of resins and polymers. Key benefits of Aron Oxetane® include:
- Good adhesion
- High reactivity
- Impressive blendability
- Low viscosity
Contact Our Experts for Resin Selection Guidance
For decades, Toagosei America has supported customers in developing specialty UV curable formulations that meet stringent performance expectations. Our ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facility provides the technical resources needed to engineer materials shaped around customer-specific goals.
Contact us to learn more about the differences between acrylic resin vs epoxy resin and the technical attributes of our UV curable products.