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  1. Why Your Resins Need Inorganic Ion Scavengers

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    Toagosei America Inc. is a custom manufacturer and distributor of advanced functional inorganic materials for the North American market. We formulate specialized chemical solutions, including inorganic ion scavengers, to support R&D initiatives in the electronics and automotive sectors. Learn more about the limitations of organic resins, the specific advantages of our IXE line, and the advanced applications of IXEPLAS®.

    Key Reasons Your Resins Need Inorganic Ion Scavengers

    Electronic components face severe risks from ionic contamination. When formulating adhesives and encapsulants for electronic applications, free ions present within the organic resins can migrate and attack sensitive microcircuitry. This ionic movement causes severe corrosion, electrical shorts, and the ultimate failure of the device.

    Traditional organic matrices lack the ability to capture these destructive free ions actively. Operational heat and environmental moisture accelerate this ionic activity over time. This unchecked movement degrades the surrounding circuitry rapidly.

    Formulators integrate IXE and IXEPLAS inorganic ion scavengers to eliminate this specific threat. These specialized additives actively trap and bind free ions within the adhesive matrix before the contaminants reach the metal circuits. By neutralizing ionic activity, inorganic scavengers stop corrosion and protect the long-term performance of complex electronic assemblies.

    Research and development chemists formulate with inorganic additives to trap and neutralize free ions. Free ions, such as sodium or chloride, cause rapid corrosion in sensitive electronic assemblies if left unmanaged. Inorganic options utilize a rigid lattice structure to trap these ionic contaminants permanently.

    Toagosei’s Ion Scavengers (IXE, IXEPLAS®)

    High-performance electronic formulations require additives that can withstand extreme processing temperatures. We have developed the IXE and IXEPLAS® product lines to deliver robust thermal stability and ion-trapping capabilities for advanced chemical formulations.

    Technical Advantages of Inorganic Scavengers

    Formulators achieve exact performance metrics when integrating these specialized inorganic materials into their new products.

    • Enhanced thermal resistance.These materials maintain ion-trapping capabilities at elevated temperatures that would degrade organic alternatives.
    • Superior solvent durability.The rigid lattice structure remains stable when exposed to aggressive industrial solvents.
    • Targeted ion capture.These chemical agents capture specific problem ions efficiently to stop corrosive reactions at the microscopic level.
    • Optimal dispersibility.The ultra-fine particle size allows chemists to disperse the additive evenly throughout viscous polymer matrices.

    Critical Applications

    R&D formulators, chemical directors, and CTOs apply IXE and IXEPLAS® in electronic and industrial applications where ionic contamination poses a reliability risk.

    • IC sealants and encapsulants.IXE can be added to resins to improve IC sealant reliability, while IXEPLAS® extends that capability into advanced semiconductor packages.
    • Semiconductor packaging.IXEPLAS® works in underfill materials and narrow pitch sealants, trapping copper and silver ions to protect copper bonding wire and silver wiring.
    • Electronic sealing materials.Both products enhance the reliability of electronic components by selectively capturing impurity ions in the adhesive matrix before they reach sensitive circuitry.

    Contact Toagosei America to Learn More

    Formulating dependable adhesives and coatings requires stable chemical additives. Toagosei America Inc. supplies the exact inorganic ion scavengers your research and development chemists need to protect sensitive electronic circuits. Our facility is certified by a third party to follow the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards to establish absolute material consistency. Upgrade your organic resins with our reliable IXE and IXEPLAS® solutions to achieve exact thermal and chemical resistance.

    Contact us to discuss your specific formulation requirements today.

  2. Unlocking High‑Performance Formulations with Aron Oxetane®

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    Aron Oxetane® is an innovative solution used together with epoxy resins to enhance polymeric characteristics, optimizing performance across a wide range of industrial applications. The unique resin formulation can help improve dimensional stability and exhibits lower volumetric shrinkage than acrylates, making it ideal for 3D printing and the fabrication of precision parts.

    Aron Oxetane® creates an exceptional adhesive bond with a wide variety of substrates, offering improved ultraviolet (UV) curability of epoxy resins for improved production efficiency. It offers fast curing, low shrinkage, and formation of a durable polymer network that enhances the mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and adhesion of a wide variety of materials.

    Rapid Polymerization and High Molecular Weight

    Aron Oxetane® demonstrates rapid polymerization when mixed with glycidyl and cycloaliphatic epoxides and can achieve high molecular weight under mild operating conditions with excellent durability. The material’s dense polymer network and efficient cationic reactions provide the following advantages:

    • Excellent mechanical strength
    • Fast curing time
    • Low shrinkage
    • Minimizes internal stress during curing
    • Reduces warping and distortion
    • Superior chemical resistance

    Due to its low viscosity, the monofunctional and bifunctional oxetane resin is highly compatible with viscous resins. It can be used to create a broad range of formulas with enhanced properties based on the specific requirements of an application.

    Using Aron Oxetane® can accelerate curing in cationic‑polymerized systems, often reducing overall cure time and improving productivity. They are widely used in high‑performance adhesives, coatings, and electronic materials where fast processing, durability, and dimensional stability are critical.

    Effective Epoxy Copolymerization

    With high reactivity, Aron Oxetane® enables successful copolymerizing through cationic mechanisms with the following types of resins:

    • Cycloaliphatic epoxy resins
    • Epoxy-enhanced butadiene
    • Glycidyl epoxy resins
    • Polymers within an epoxy group

    Aron Oxetane® enables the creation of innovative solutions for adhesives and sealants. It can be blended with various materials that typically cannot undergo cationic polymerization. Its oxetane groups react with epoxy resins to increase crosslink density and accelerate curing.

    The innovative solution is environmentally friendly and does not produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is engineered to enhance adhesion, toughness, strength, and chemical resistance, making it highly useful for a diverse range of industrial applications.

    Reduced Stress in Adhesive Bonds

    Aron Oxetane® reduces stress in adhesive bonds through low-shrinkage cationic polymerization, which minimizes internal strain during curing. Its flexible network formation evenly distributes force, preventing delamination and cracks. It also improves bond durability, performance, and reliability under mechanical and thermal stress conditions.

    Aron Oxetane® provides superior adhesion to a wide variety of substrates and is particularly useful for creating a durable adhesive bond between dissimilar materials.

    The following industries rely on UV curable resins for strong, consistent adhesion that complies with strict quality requirements:

    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Electronics
    • Medical
    • Packaging
    • Signage

    Aron Oxetane® effectively reduces stress in adhesive bonds and provides exceptional durability compared to other materials. When used as a UV hard coating, it maximizes the wear and chemical resistance, safeguarding parts against abrasion and deterioration.

    Contact Toagosei America, Inc. To Learn More

    Aron Oxetane® improves dimensional stability by undergoing low-shrinkage polymerization. It features exceptional material properties and supports the integrity and durability of UV hard coatings, adhesives, inks, sealants, 3D photopolymer coatings, and other resinous substrates.

    Since 1994, Toagosei America Inc. has been committed to the ongoing development of high-performance products that meet our customers’ specific needs. As a leading ISO 9001 certified custom manufacturer of UV curable resin products, we offer competitive pricing and unsurpassed solutions for long-lasting adhesion, protective finishes, and thermal management across a broad range of industries.

    Contact us today to learn more about Aron Oxetane® and the other top-quality products available from Toagosei America, Inc.

  3. Acrylic vs. Epoxy Resin: Choosing the Right Solution

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    Acrylic vs. Epoxy Resin: Choosing the Right Solution

    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.

  4. Common Parameters for UV Resin Formulations

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    UV Resin Formulations

    Precision in UV resin formulation is essential to achieving consistent, high-quality results across coatings and adhesives. The final properties of the cured product, such as clarity, hardness, flexibility, and adhesion, are directly determined by the balance of each chemical component. Even small miscalculations in formulation can lead to under-curing, yellowing, or surface defects that compromise performance and product reliability.

    A successful formulation for UV-cured resins depends on four key materials working together:

    • Oligomers: Oligomers are the backbone of the formula that determines mechanical strength and flexibility.
    • Monomers: These are reactive diluents used to control viscosity and modify the performance of some oligomer properties.
    • Additives: These are specialized components that add or fine-tune properties such as adhesion, flow, or resistance properties.
    • Photoinitiators: Photoinitiators are compounds that absorb UV energy to initiate polymerization and crosslinking.

    Mastering the balance of these materials ensures that the cured resin delivers the intended physical, mechanical, and optical performance.

    Critical Formulation Parameters to Consider

    Developing an effective formulation for UV-cured resins begins with defining the intended application and aligning each material decision with performance goals. Four key factors influence formulation success:

    • Target Application: Start by understanding the end-use application. The needs of a flexible coating differ greatly from those of a rigid, high-strength adhesive or an inkjet ink. Determining whether the resin will be used in a coating, adhesive, ink, or 3D printing system is the first step in tailoring chemistry to performance goals.
    • Substrate Compatibility: Adhesion must be optimized for plastics, metals, glass, or composites. Using the right adhesion promoters ensures a strong, lasting bond.
    • Application Method: Spray, dip, roll, and jetting processes require specific viscosity and flow characteristics to achieve consistent coverage and film formation.
    • Curing Conditions: Lamp type, light intensity, and exposure time must align with the photoinitiator system and film thickness to achieve complete polymerization.

    When these parameters are balanced effectively, the resulting formulation for UV-cured resins delivers durability, clarity, and stable performance.

    Mechanical and Physical Property Parameters

    A high-performance acrylic resin formulation must meet mechanical and physical requirements that match its intended application. Key parameters to consider include:

    • Viscosity: Viscosity governs how the resin flows and levels during application. Lower viscosity supports jetting or fine-line printing, while higher viscosity builds thicker films and minimizes sagging.
    • Hardness and Scratch Resistance: These properties are essential for coatings exposed to abrasion or handling and are influenced by the oligomer’s molecular structure and the degree of crosslinking. 
    • Flexibility and Elongation: This ensures durability on flexible substrates or parts that experience movement.
    • Adhesion: Adhesion defines how well the resin bonds to the substrate, which is critical for long-term stability and performance.

    Chemical and Environmental Resistance

    A well-designed UV-curable resin formulation must maintain performance when exposed to a variety of chemical and environmental stresses. Several key resistance factors guide the selection of materials within an acrylic resin formulation:

    • Chemical and Stain Resistance: This protects against solvents, oils, and cleaning agents. This property is critical for coatings, sealants, and adhesives used in chemically aggressive environments:
    • Thermal Resistance: Thermal resistance ensures the resin retains its properties during exposure to high processing or service temperatures. This is especially important for electronic, automotive, and industrial components.
    • Weatherability and UV Stability: These characteristics ensure the resin maintains clarity, gloss, and color stability during long-term exposure to sunlight and atmospheric conditions.
    • Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic Properties: These properties can be adjusted to control moisture interaction, either promoting wetting or resisting water uptake, depending on the application.

    Balancing these factors allows formulators to create UV-cured resin formulations that remain stable, durable, and reliable across a wide range of environments.

    Partnering With Toagosei for Your Formulation Needs

    At Toagosei America, we understand that precision in acrylic resin formulation goes beyond ingredient selection. It is about engineering resins for exact performance targets. Our Aronix® and Aron Oxetane® product lines deliver the building blocks for next-generation UV-cured resin formulations, optimized for clarity, hardness, and flexibility.

    Our team works directly with chemists and product developers to tailor formulations that meet specific curing, adhesion, and processing goals. Contact us to learn more about our expert formulation capabilities and discuss your needs today.

  5. The Impact of Formulation and Coating Method on UV Adhesives

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    Slitting and Rewinding

    UV-curable adhesives are critical in modern manufacturing, especially in industries like electronics, medical devices, optics, and industrial assembly. These materials cure rapidly under ultraviolet light, forming strong, reliable bonds that maintain stability under heat, stress, and exposure to chemicals.

    The performance of a UV adhesive depends on two key factors: formulation and coating method. UV adhesive formulation determines the adhesive’s cure behavior, viscosity, and final mechanical properties such as flexibility, hardness, and chemical resistance. The coating method affects how evenly the adhesive is applied and how it performs during curing and long-term use. Together, these elements control bond strength, durability, and process efficiency.

    As a trusted developer of advanced adhesive technologies, Toagosei America provides high-performance UV adhesive solutions that meet diverse industry requirements. In this blog, we’ll explore how adhesive formulation and coating methods influence UV adhesive performance, and how understanding these factors helps manufacturers select the best materials and processes for their applications.

    Formulation Components and Their Impact

    Developing a high-performance UV adhesive formulation requires balancing chemistry, processing, and performance requirements. Four core material groups influence how the adhesive behaves during application and curing:

    • Oligomers: Serve as the foundation or backbone of the adhesive, defining its primary strength and flexibility.
    • Monomers: Adjust viscosity and curing speed as well as strengthen certain characteristics of the formulations such as adhesion, strength, hardness and toughness, allowing chemists to tailor processing and performance characteristics for specific applications.
    • Photoinitiators: Trigger polymerization when exposed to UV light, enabling controlled curing and optimal crosslinking.
    • Additives: Fine-tune key properties such as adhesion, flexibility, and color to meet end-use performance goals.

    Each component plays a distinct role in the overall UV adhesive formulation, and their interactions ultimately determine curing efficiency, durability, and long-term reliability.

    Exploring Common UV Adhesive Coating Methods

    Coating methods influence the uniformity, film thickness, and adhesion characteristics of UV adhesives. Selecting the right approach depends on application needs, substrate type, and desired production speed. Common techniques include:

    • Roll Coating: Ideal for high-speed, high-volume manufacturing.
    • Slot Die Coating: Provides precision and uniformity for critical or high-value applications.
    • Spray Coating: Offers versatility for irregular or complex surfaces.
    • Jetting: Enables precision dispensing and is widely used in electronics and optics manufacturing.

    The viscosity of a UV adhesive plays a central role in determining which coating method is most effective. Higher-viscosity adhesives are better suited for roll or transfer coating, while lower-viscosity materials perform best in slot die, spray, or jetting applications that require thin, even layers. These viscosity differences directly affect peel strength, tack, and shear resistance, making correct pairing essential to achieve consistent performance.

    Curing speed must also be synchronized with coating line speed to ensure complete polymerization and uniform adhesion. If line speed increases, UV intensity or exposure time must be adjusted to maintain full crosslinking and bond strength. Understanding this relationship between coating dynamics, curing conditions, and UV adhesive formulation is key to achieving both production efficiency and long-term reliability.

    Toagosei’s Expertise in UV Adhesive Solutions

    Understanding how UV adhesive formulation interacts with coating and curing is essential to achieving reliable, high-performance results. By optimizing these parameters, manufacturers can enhance bond strength, process efficiency, and long-term durability. Toagosei America applies decades of formulation expertise to help engineers and product developers identify the right solution for their specific applications.

    ​​Explore our data sheets for detailed technical specifications, or contact us to learn how our UV adhesive technologies can support your next project.

  6. Choosing UV Resin Material for 3D Printing

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    UV curable resin for 3D printing is known for its ability to produce smooth surface finishes and intricate designs, making it an ideal choice for industries such as dentistry, jewelry, and industrial part prototyping. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right UV curable resin for your application.

    To ensure you make the right selection, it’s important to first understand the key properties that will affect your final print. Having a foundational knowledge of these properties will guide you in making an informed decision that aligns with the unique needs of your project.

    Mechanical Properties

    Mechanical properties are a critical consideration when choosing a UV curable resin for 3D printing, as they determine how the resin will perform under stress. The following mechanical properties directly impact the strength, flexibility, and overall durability of 3D-printed components:

    • Tensile Strength: This measures a resin’s ability to resist being pulled apart. Resins with high tensile strengths are better for projects that demand durable and robust parts, such as structural components or tools.
    • Elongation at Break: This refers to how much the resin can stretch before breaking. Resins with a high elongation at break can withstand more stretching and bending, making them ideal for flexible components like hinges or wearable devices.
    • Flexural Strength: Flexural strength measures a resin’s ability to resist bending without permanent deformation. This property is particularly important for prints that need to maintain rigidity, such as structural supports or enclosures.
    • Impact Resistance: Impact resistance ensures your prints can withstand sudden shocks without breaking or cracking. Resins with good impact resistance are important for items such as protective gear or mechanical parts that are frequently subjected to impacts.
    • Toughness: In 3D printing, toughness describes a material’s ability to absorb energy without fracturing. This is a crucial characteristic for applications requiring high durability.

    Thermal Properties

    If your 3D-printed parts will encounter heat during use, it’s important to look for resins with good thermal properties. Be sure to consider:

    • Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): This is the temperature at which a material starts to deform under a specific load. For prints that need to withstand high temperatures, such as components for industrial or automotive use, a resin with a high HDT is ideal.
    • Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): This is the temperature at which the resin transitions from a rigid, glass-like state to a rubbery, flexible state. Resins with higher Tg can better maintain their rigidity in warm environments.

    Appearance

    The visual appearance of your final print is just as important as its physical properties, particularly for parts where aesthetics are a concern. Two main characteristics to think about when considering appearance include:

    • Transparency: Transparent resins are the go-to choice when you need to create clear, see-through components like light covers, display pieces, or lenses. These resins are specifically formulated to cure without clouding, allowing light to pass through with minimal distortion.
    • Color: UV curable resins for 3D printing are available in a wide range of colors, from bold and vibrant options to soft and subtle shades. Some resins can also be easily dyed or painted after printing, providing added flexibility for the final appearance of your print.

    Other Properties

    Beyond mechanical, thermal, and visual properties, various other factors can influence your choice of 3D printing resin, including:

    • Viscosity: Viscosity refers to how thick or thin a resin is. Lower-viscosity resins flow more easily, which can be advantageous for producing smooth, detailed prints with fewer surface imperfections. However, thinner resins often require more careful leveling during the printing process.
    • Cure Time: This is the time it takes for the resin to harden when exposed to the 3D printer’s light source. Fast-curing resins can speed up the printing process, leading to quicker project completion. However, resins that cure too fast can result in brittleness or over-curing, making it important to find the ideal balance.
    • Biocompatibility: Biocompatibility is critical for parts that will come into contact with skin or are intended for medical use.

    Contact Toagosei America Inc. for 3D Printing Resin Material

    To ensure the success of your 3D printing project, choose UV curable resins from Toagosei America Inc. We offer a range of high-quality solutions, including Aronix® and Aron Oxetane®, tailored to meet diverse 3D printing needs. Our resins deliver superior performance and can be used to create intricate details with minimal shrinkage. Backed by expert in-house R&D support, we can provide customized recommendations based on the requirements of your project. For more information about our selection of UV curable resins for 3D printing, contact us today.

  7. Exploring the Power of Oxetane with Toagosei

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    Oxetane is a reactive chemical resin whose versatility has made it an innovative solution for various industries. Toagosei is a worldwide leader in chemical innovations and the first company to commercialize oxetane (Aron Oxetane®), optimizing the capabilities of cationic curable resins. Oxetane is ideal for developing:

    • Improved ink formulations
    • Cutting-edge 3D printing materials
    • Enhanced coatings
    • Durable adhesive products

    This blog will explore how our oxetane resin is creating new solutions for these industrial challenges and establishing new standards in material sciences.

    The Chemistry of Oxetane: A Foundation for Innovation

    Oxetane has a unique molecular structure with a four-membered cyclic ether, resulting in low viscosity and optimal reactivity. Its chemical foundation creates an effective bond with various substrates and improves performance in coatings and adhesives. Using oxetane’s reactivity, Toagosei has developed low-viscosity epoxies and other products with fast-curing, resistant, and durable properties. Our research on oxetane has unlocked new applications for high-performance composites and polymers.

    Applications of Oxetane in Industry

    Various applications depend on oxetane resins to enhance the curing time, durability, and bond strength of adhesives, coatings, and other products. Toagosei offers the following oxetane-based solutions.

    Adhesive Technologies

    Oxetane-based adhesives offer exceptional durability and bond strength for industries like the aerospace and automotive sectors. The oxetane based r adhesives have superior chemical and heat resistance for use in these demanding environments. The inclusion of oxetane results in quick-curing adhesives that minimize production times. Innovative oxetane based adhesives formulations meet the growing need for reliable and efficient bonding solutions in the manufacturing industry.

    Industrial Coatings

    Coatings made with oxetane offer improved protection against UV degradation, corrosion, and abrasion. Toagosei’s oxetanes are crucial components in coatings for various protective applications in the industrial machinery and automotive sectors. Oxetane coatings increase adhesion to difficult substrates, prolong product lifespan, reduce maintenance needs, and enhance sustainability, as they minimize the need for replacements. We are committed to developing superior solutions for demanding coating applications in the international market.

    3D Printing Materials

    Oxetane-based 3D printing materials considerably reduce the shrinkage of 3D printed objects, producing components with improved surface finishes and dimensional accuracy. Photopolymer formulators use our oxetanes to develop better 3D printing materials that reliably support more complex prints, driving advancement in the additive manufacturing industry.

    The versatility of oxetanes in the 3D printing space will improve the production of prototypes, functional parts, medical devices, and more. Toagosei will continue to deliver innovative solutions for 3D printing, making the technology even more applicable and accessible in various industries.

    Printing Inks and Coatings

    Oxetane enhances coatings and printing inks through stronger adhesion to difficult substrates and more rapid cure times. Our oxetanes in inks provide efficient and high-quality results in high-speed printing applications. Oxetane-based inks fit a broad range of applications, from large-format printing to packaging. Ink formulators that choose our oxetanes lead the way in printing technology, producing prints that are more environmentally friendly, efficient, and high-quality than their alternatives.

    Transform Your Products With Toagosei’s Advanced Oxetane Solutions

    Oxetane is used in various products, from printingr inks to 3D printing materials. Toagosei’s oxetane solutions can enhance your high-performance products with improved durability, higher adhesive strength, rapid production times, and other benefits. These features will transform your products from standard to exceptional, giving you the cutting edge as your industry and material science continue to evolve.

    Contact us to learn more about our innovative adhesive and chemical products.

  8. The Ultimate Guide to UV Coatings

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    Ultraviolet (UV) curable coatings are used on a variety of substrates, including plastics, paper, wood, metal, glass, and composite materials. For plastic substrates, UV coatings may impart more strength, rigidity, color, and other attributes. As coating technologies advance, UV coating will continue to grow as a popular solution for improving the quality of plastic goods. Other coatings require complex heating and curing cycles that can be cost-prohibitive or too time-consuming. For example, they may require a binary curing system of the resin itself and a hardening chemical. However, UV coatings harden and cure quickly when exposed to UV light.

    Learn more about the science behind UV coatings for plastics, their benefits, how they compare to other types of coatings, and Toagosei’s UV coating chemicals.

    The Science Behind UV Coatings

    UV curable coatings are formulated primarily with a blend of monomers and oligomers. A small percentage of the compound includes photoinitiators, pigments, and many other additives (e.g. processing aids, application aids, performance enhancers, etc.). Though only comprising a small percentage of the overall formula, the photoinitiator (sometimes called a light trigger or UV activator) is the key ingredient lending the coating its UV curing properties.

    When exposed to a source of UV radiation, the photoinitiator acts as a sort of catalyst triggering the cross-linking of molecules and ultimate hardening or curing of the coating, adhesive, or sealant within a relatively short period of time. This cross-linking creates a strong polymerized network, locking the coating molecules together.

    UV curing is a type of energy curing, which also consists of visible light curing and electron beam curing. UV curing occurs at wavelengths ranging from 200 to 400 nm, while visible light curing occurs at wavelengths ranging from 380 to 700 nm. Thinner coatings use shorter wavelengths, while thicker coatings require longer wavelengths for deeper penetration. The quickest, most effective wavelength for a specific UV curing application often depends on how well the LED bulb’s wavelength matches the peak of the absorption profile of the coating.

    The exact curing time will vary based on the area being cured, the thickness of the resin, and the strength of the UV light. The quantity of photoinitiator used will also speed up curing time, though it may have negative consequences such as discoloration or brittleness.

    Benefits of Using UV Coatings for Plastics

    UV-curable resins present numerous advantages over other types of resins that either require complex curing cycles or start to harden as soon as they’re exposed to air. Some of the benefits of choosing UV coatings for plastics include:

    • Aesthetic Appeal: UV coatings can be produced with a wide range of colors and visual characteristics. Coating machinery can apply the coatings in intricate patterns and designs without concerns about the products curing in the middle of the application. Once the UV coating cures, it has a glossy finish.
    • Cost-Effectiveness: UV coatings can cure in very short windows of time and don’t require much manual processing or manufacturing footprint. This reduces labor costs, production cycle times, and energy consumption, making this method more cost-effective.
    • Durability: As UV coatings harden, they transform into a hard, durable surface that resists scratches, abrasions, and impact damage. UV coatings can also resist various chemicals and solvents.
    • Environmental Friendliness: Epoxy, binary, and solvent coatings produce harmful vapors or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can leach into soil and groundwater. From there, VOCs can intrude into buildings and negatively impact indoor air quality. Exposure to VOCs can also result in various adverse health effects, such as respiratory irritation, nausea, headaches, and damage to the nervous system, kidneys, or liver. UV coatings produce low to no VOC emissions, so they are better for the environment and human health, due to the lack of drying equipment and lower energy consumption when LEDs are utilized.

    Industries That Rely on UV Coatings

    Because UV coatings present so many advantages, they’re commonly used in a wide array of consumer, commercial, and industrial applications. Some of the industries that rely most on UV-curable resins include:

    • Automotive: Car manufacturers can use UV coatings to finish plastic components for car interiors, like touchscreens, dashboard instrument panels and displays, door components, consoles, and control knobs and buttons. Aftermarket refinish products also depend on UV-curable coatings for body fillers and headlight lenses.
    • Electronics: Manufacturers can apply UV coatings to protect phones, tablets, and other electronic surfaces. Our UV conformal coating, Aronix® UVX-5800, protects PCBs and FPCs from water, dust, and other contaminants to prevent short circuits.
    • Food and Beverage: Manufacturers use UV coating technology to apply designs and labels to metal beverage cans and other containers.
    • Wood Flooring: Manufacturers of UV coatings produce impact and scratch-resistant coatings for wood flooring.
    • Furniture Coatings: Manufacturers of UV coatings supply coatings that increase gloss and scratch resistance in the furniture market.

    Comparing UV Coatings With Other Coating Types

    UV-curable resins are just one option manufacturers can use to finish goods. Potential limitations of UV coating include the need for specialized equipment and the possibility of shadowing issues during application. However, UV coatings present many advantages over other options, such as:

    • Powder Coatings: This option doesn’t work on many plastic materials, and the finished coating can degrade with exposure to UV light and other elements. Powder coating also requires more preparation in the form of surface pretreatment, priming, and masking.
    • Solvent-based Coatings: Solvent-based coatings are designed to cure via evaporation when exposed to oxygen. These solvents produce more VOCs and require longer cure times than UV coatings, producing a potential bottleneck in your operations. This method is best saved for specialty applications when no other coating is an option.
    • Water-based Coatings: While water-based coatings can be more environmentally friendly, they don’t last as long and don’t offer the same protective benefits. Water-based coatings also take longer to cure than UV coatings.

    Toagosei’s UV Coating Offerings

    Toagosei develops a growing range of UV coating chemicals for different commercial and industrial applications. Our popular UV coating chemicals for plastics include:

    • DPHA: Our DPHA chemicals used in plastic coatings include M-404 and M-940.
    • Urethane Adducts: Our urethane adducts have good transparency, hardness, and a narrow viscosity range.
    • THEICs: M-313 or M-923 can be mixed with M-5300, M-5400, or M-5700 for improved adhesion to plastics. M-313 and M-923, in addition to urethane acrylates like Aroni TJ-UA 20024, are often used in automotive lens coatings.
    • Oxetanes: Used in UV-cured epoxies, oxetanes adhere well to a range of plastics as well as “direct to metal” for beverage cans and other decorative or protective metal applications.
    UV Coating ChemicalPropertiesApplications
    DPHA: M-404, M-940High transparencyPlastics
    Flexographic plates
    Lithographic inks
    Urethane AdductsGood transparency and hardness
    Narrow viscosity range    		Plastics
    THEICs: M-313, M-923High transparency
    Low film curl
    Good adhesion    		Plastics
    Hard protective coatings
    OxetanesCationic curable resins used in UV-cured epoxy chemistries
    High reactivity
    Good adhesion    		Plastics
    Metal

    Transform Your Products With Toagosei’s UV Coating Expertise

    UV coatings can produce a hard protective surface layer, cure faster, and have more aesthetic appeal than most other coating options. In the future, UV coating technology will continue to become more energy-efficient and speed up curing times, growing in popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional coating methods. Contact Toagosei America for help finding the right UV coating chemical for your next project.

  9. UV Curing Inkjet Ink: What You Need to Know

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    Ultraviolet (UV) curing inkjet ink relies on an environmentally-friendly photochemical process to dry ink instantly after printing. This means that you can print on nearly any non-absorbing material, including metal, wood, glass, vinyl, and more. Unlike certain other types of printing, UV curable ink is cured on the surface of the substrate so the substrate can be nonporous, resulting in no smudging and no need for costly pre coatings. In this blog, we’ll discuss the process and key benefits of UV curing inkjet ink to help you determine if it’s the best option for your next printing project.

    UV Curing Inkjet Ink: What You Need to Know

    What Are UV Curing Inkjet Inks?

    Rather than relying on absorption into substrates for drying, UV curing inkjet inks are formulated to remain in liquid form until they are cured via exposure to UV and LED lights as well as electron beam(EB) This initiates an instantaneous photochemical reaction in which the ink components are cross-linked, creating a durable polymer.

    UV curing inks contain four primary components: monomers, oligomers, photointiators and additives such as pigments. These compounds are what allow the photochemical reaction to occur upon exposure to UV light. When the ink makes contact with UV light, the photoinitiators form radicals that begin the polymerization of the monomers. These inks contain no solvents and derive their color from pigment dispersion.

    UV Curing Process

    UV curable inkjet inks require efficient, consistent, and complete curing to ensure optimal functionality, durability, aesthetic appeal, and surface properties for printed products. As previously mentioned, UV curing is a photochemical process that relies on highly intense ultraviolet light to quickly cure or “dry” inks.

    UV curing inks are formulated with oligomers and monomers combined with a small amount of photoinitiators and other additives. Once exposed to UV energy, the ink instantly hardens, allowing the printed product to quickly move on to the next processing step.

    Benefits of UV Inkjet Inks

    UV curing inks provide a range of benefits that make them ideal for various applications. The major advantages of using UV curing inks include:

    • High-quality properties such as excellent bond and adhesive strength, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance
    • Relies on less energy and solvent-free technology for a more environmentally friendly solution
    • Higher production capacity and speed
    • High image and color quality
    • Durability
    • Superior reliability and consistency
    • Product is immediately ready for the next process step
    • Compatible with 2D and 3D component geometries
    • No VOC emissions
    • Higher yield rates

    UV Curable Solutions From Toagosei America Inc.

    UV curing inkjet inks offer an eco-friendly, instant printing solution that creates a strong, durable print on a wide variety of substrates. As a global manufacturer of functional adhesive and chemical technologies, Toagosei America, Inc. delivers a range of UV curable solutions for industries such as 3D printing, UV adhesives, UV inks and inkjets, UV coating, electronics, and automotive. We offer various types of monomers designed to improve the performance of UV curing inkjet ink, including:

    • M-313. This monomer increases the durability of cured products and can enhance the elastic modulus of UV adhesives.
    • M-5700. This monomer increases the flexibility of a cured product and offers fast UV curability. When combined with M-313, it can enhance the overall adhesion of UV curing inkjet ink.
    • M-930. This monomer offers a low viscosity tri-functional acrylate with biobased content and increases the chemical resistance of the print.

    In addition to M-313 and M-5700, we offer a wide range of other monomers that can increase scratch resistance, improve optical durability, provide hydrolysis resistance, and more. For more information about how our UV curable resins can meet your UV ink needs, contact us today.

  10. Synthesis of Imide-Acrylates and Their Applications for UV Curable Resins

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    Synthesis of Imide-Acrylates and Their Applications for UV Curable Resins

    Eiichi Okazaki, Tetsuji Jitsumatsu TOAGOSEI CO., LTD
    1-1 Funami-Cho, Minato-Ku, Nagoya 455 Japan
    Tel: 052-611-9910 Fax: 052-613-1868

    I.ABSTRACT
    Several kinds of imide-acrylates were synthesized and were measured their physical properties. They were applied for UV curable resins. It was found that these irnide-acrylates have excellent UV curability and their cured films have good flexibility and adhesion for many kinds of substances.

    Moreover, it was found that the acrylate with a maleimide-group can be cured without conventional photoinitiators. It is interesting that the maleimide-acrylate would be able to improve durability, odor, toxic problems that are caused by photocleavage of photoinitiators after UV irradiation.

    II.INTRODUCTION
    UV curing technology has been utilized widely and esectively for numerous industrial applications, because UV cure system could bring us various advantages as follows, zero VOC, excellent productivity, superior physical properties, reduction of energy. Recently, this system has been accepted for not only coatings and inks of wood, metal and plastic but also technique of manufacturing LCD panel[1] and photofabrication of 3D model[2] Therefore, new materials which have an unique chemical or physical properties have been desired.

    Today, most of the materials that have been applied to UV curable resins are monomers and oligomers including acrylic group for radical polymerization. Although some new cationic UV coating systems have introduced recently in order to improve the physical or chemical property, it isn’t sufficient for the newer various apphcations.

    Acrylates including imide-group were focused because the group has strong chemical bond and high polarity for improving the properties. Then, several kinds of imide-acrylates were synthesized and were measured their physical properties as new unique UV curable monomers which would be able to be applied to newer various industrials.

    In this report, acrylate with maleimide-group was attempted to apply photoinitiator- free system, because N-substituted maleimides are eificient photoinitiators of radical polymerization through the mechanism of hydrogen abstraction by excited N-substituted maleimide under UV irradiation.[3]

    III.EXPERIMENTAL
    I.SYNTHSIS OF IMIDE-ACRYLATES
    Imide-acrylates were synthesized from cyclic anhydride, amino alcohol and acryhc acid on the same way which Azuma had reported .[4] Synthesized compounds were shown in Tablet. PT-ETA-A which was synthesized from phthalic anhydride was crystal and difficult to dissolve in typical acrylates.

    II.PROCEDURES
    Tensile strength. elongation and Tg
    Formulations of imide-acrylate added 1wt% of benzildimethylketa1(BDK) were poured into EPDM rubber mold to gain their films of lmm and were cured in air under 60W/cm° medium pressure mercury vapor lamp with an irradiation of 5,000mJ/cm°. Tensile strength and elongation were measured in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) K6301. Tg was measured by DSC.

    Curine speed. pencil hardness and adhesion
    Imide-acrylate formulations added 2wt% of BDK were drawn down on several kinds of plates using a 10-micron wire bar. The coatings were cured in air under 80W/cm2 medium pressure mercury vapor lamp at 90mJ/cm2 by 1 pass. Curing speed was indicated the number of passes which the tackiness of coating surface was completely disappeared on metal plate. Pencil hardness and crosshatch tape adhesion test were conducted in the same way of JIS KS400 on metal and some plastic plates, respectively.

    IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
    I.PROPERTIES OF IMIDE-ACRYLATES
    Table I gives the curing speed, pencil hardness and Tg of imide-acrylate itself. In spite of monofunctional acrylate, all imide-acrylates could be cured quickly and the essential dosage to cure were within 360mJ/cm°. The pencil hardness were relative hard and the level was from H to 2H.

    The reason why imide-acrylate could be cured quickly was due to the reducible effect of inhibition of radical polymerization by oxygen in air, like a tertiary amine[5], because

    General Properties

    Decker had reported that acrylate with a carbamate-group, similar heterocyclic compounds, could be cured excellently by the same reason.[6]

    The result of adhesion test was shown in Table II. 2-Hydroxy-3-phenoxypropy1 acrylate(HPPA) was used for this test as a typical good adhesion monomer. Adhesion of imide-acrylates was better than HPPA for several kinds of plastics. This can be attributed to the significantly higher polarity that imide group has.

    The tensile strength, elongation and viscosity of formulations which consist of HH- ETA-A and some conventional urethane acrylates are shown in Fig.1-3, respectively. UA- 1(Aronix M-1100, Toagosei) and UA-2(Aronix M-1310, Toagosei) are typical aromatic polyester urethaneacrylates. And UA-3(Aronix M-1600, Toagosei) is typical aliphatic polyether urethaneacrylate. Though HH-ETA-A was a monofunctional acrylate, both tensile strength and elongation were not spoiled, but partially improved by adding to urethaneacrylates.

    This can be aho attributed to the higher polarity of imide group. It was reasonable that the viscosity was decreasing and then treating was easier by adding imide-acrylate to the formulations.

    Fig.4 shows the comparison between imide-acrylates and ethoxyethoxyethyl acrylate(EEEA), typical monoacrylate, as a diluent. It was found that curing speed was improved excellently by adding imide-acrylate in the case of TMPTA.

    General Properties
    General Properties
    General Properties
    General Properties

    II.APPLICATION FOR PHOTOINITIATOR -FREE SYSTEM
    Recently, N-substituted maleimides are efficient photoinitiators of radical polymerization through the mechanism of hydrogen abstraction by excited N-substituted maleimide.[3] HT-ETA-A which consists of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, ethanolamine and acrylic acid has maleimide moiety, therefore it is expected that this imide- acrylate can polymerize itself and other acrylates without conventional photoinitiator.
    Curing speed and pencil hardness of HT-ETA-A were shown in Table III. It was found that this acrylate can be cured fast enough, within 360mJ/cm°, without typical photoinitiator expectedly. Fig.5 shows the mechanism of polymerization through hydrogen abstraction by excited HT-ETA-A without photoinitiators under UV irradiation.

    Mechanism of polymerization

    V.CONCLUSION

    In this report, we have presented the results related to the properties of imide- acrylates as UV curable materials. We found that imide-acrylates have excellent UV curability, and their cured films have good 0exibiIity and adhesion for many kinds of substances.

    Moreover, it was found that the acrylates which has a maleimide-group can be cured without conventional photoinitiators. It is interesting that these maleimide-acrylates would be able to improve durability, odor, toxic problems that are caused from photocleavage of conventional photoinitiators after UV irradiation.

    VI.REFERENCES

    1. Fushimi T., Kobunshi, 45, 794, (1996) 2)
    2. Ikuta K., ibid, 45, 800, (1996)
    3. Jonsson S.E., Hultgren , Sundell P., Shimose M., Owens J., Vaughn K., Hoyle C.E.,
      Radtech Europe95 academic day, 34, (1995)
      Clark S. C., Jonsson S. E., Hoyle C. E., Polymer Preprints, 38(2), 363, (1997)
    4. Azuma K., Kato , Tatemichi H., Kimura K., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) No. 59481, (1975)
    5. Selli E., Bellobono I.R., Radiation Curing in Polymer Science and Technology vol.3 Polymerisation Mechanisms, Fouassier J.P. and Rabek J.F., Elsevier, London, UK,1993, p.18
    6. Decker C., ibid, p.33
      Decker C., Elzaouk B., Decker C., Radtech Europe95 academic day, 115, (1996)

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