UV-CURING OF POWDER COATINGSA replacement for oven based curing

Ultraviolet curing (commonly known as UV curing) is a

photochemical process in which high-intensity ultraviolet
light is used to instantly cure or dry inks, coatings or
adhesives by means of polymerization process.
UV curing has been shown
1. to increase production speed
2. reduce reject rates
3. improve scratch and solvent resistance
4. facilitate superior bonding
when compared to conventional curing systems.
UV-curable coatings are famous for their very fast curing
mechanism and high production speed. It is this
crosslinking technology that is used in UV-curable powder
coatings after melting and flow out of the powder under
the influence of heat, the molten film is cross-linked by
exposing it to UV light. In that way, curing becomes a
question of seconds instead of minutes as is the case for
thermo-hardenable powders. The absence of thermal cure
during the melting of a UV powder allows optimum flow
out, making smooth finishes achievable at relatively low
temperatures.

CONVENTIONAL OVEN:
A convection oven uses a heat source, most
commonly a gas burner, and a fan to heat the
interior of an insulated enclosure. Different
powder materials require different cure
temperatures, commonly in a range between
170 - 200 C. The part is heated by the hot air in
the oven and it in turn conducts heat into the
coating.
Convection cure time may be as short as 10
minutes or as long as 30minutes, depending on
the mass of the substrate and the cure
requirements of the powder.
Some of the consequences of oven curing are,
o Long cure time
o High temperature requirement
o Air circulation is required (to preheat the air and
to transfer heat through convection)
o Consumption of large floor spaces

NOTE: The generally accepted standard for curing is

20 minutes @ 200o C

UV curing overtakes oven curing in the following aspects,

S.no Oven curing

UV curing

1.
2.

instantaneous cure
faster curing cycles with
lower temperature
requirement
Suitable for heat
sensitive substrates
such as wood, plastics
speed and productivity

3.

4.
5.
6.

7.

Long cure time

Long cure cycles, with
high temperature
requirement
Not suitable for heat
sensitive material
Less productivity
compared to UV curing.
Time and energy
consuming
Thermal crosslinking
occurs at high
temperatures ( >150
deg. C)
Curing time : 25-30 min

Time, energy, and

space savings.
Fast crosslinking
occurs at temperature
range of (90-130 deg.
C)
Curing time : 1-3 min
(depends on the
substrate)

UV curing is commonly used for heat sensitive

substrate such as medium density fiberwood (MDF),
plastic, wood appliances.
So on comparing the properties of MDF with our
aluminium,
s.no.
1
Youngs
modulus
2
Density
3
Strength to
weight ratio
4
Thermal
diffusivity
5
Thermal
conductivity
6
Shear modulus

MDF
4Gpa

Aluminium
69Gpa

0.75g/cm3
24 KN-m/kg
0.24m2/s

2.8g/cm3
43 to 89 KNm/kg
67m2/s

0.3W/m-k

170W/m-k

2.5Gpa

26Gpa

Companies related to UV curing of powder

coatings:
1. NORDSON INDIA PVT LTD
Nordson UV curing systems:
Nordson ultraviolet (UV) curing systems help
manufacturers improve productivity at a lower cost of
ownership.
Nordson ultraviolet (UV) curing systems offer the most
reliable, durable and cost effective performance for curing
liquids, powders, coatings, adhesives and sealants.
From wood and plastic, to glass and other heat-sensitive
substrates, Nordson UV curing systems deliver greater
application flexibility with a range of precisely focused and
flood reflector geometries.

2. NSW India ltd.

3. AkzoNobel interpon powder coatings