UVLacke

UVLacke, or UV-curable lacquers, are a class of coatings formulated to polymerize rapidly upon exposure to ultraviolet light. They are typically liquid formulations based on acrylate or epoxy resins, reactive diluents, and photoinitiators, designed to produce a hard, durable film with minimal volatile organic compounds when cured. The curing can be radical, using acrylate- and urethane-based oligomers with acrylate monomers; or cationic, based on epoxy resins triggered by onium salts. Light sources include UV lamps and, increasingly, UV LEDs, enabling rapid setting at low energy and enabling solvent-free application.

Applications include wood and furniture coatings, paper and packaging finishes, metal and plastic coatings, and certain inks and varnishes in digital printing. UVLacke can offer high hardness, chemical and scratch resistance, gloss control, and rapid throughput thanks to instantaneous cure and reduced solvent emission. They may present limitations such as cure depth restrictions when using highly pigmented or filled systems, potential yellowing under UV exposure, sensitivity to oxygen inhibition in radical systems, and the need for specialized safety and handling for photoinitiators and UV equipment. Environmental considerations favor solvent-free formulations and the adoption of LED-based curing, which reduces mercury use and allows more energy-efficient operation.

Safety and handling notes: operators should manage ultraviolet exposure, photoinitiator handling, and thermal loading, with appropriate shielding, ventilation, and personal protective equipment. Quality control often includes gloss, hardness, and solvent-resistance testing to ensure consistent film formation across substrates.

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