Recent investigations in the UV-inert technology

The hardening of coatings by high-energy radiation is still a relatively new technology. The use of ultra-violet radiation in particular only really started to gain acceptance in the 1980s following the development of suitable binders, initiators and curing equipment, and has been growing at an above-average rate ever since. By curing in an inert atmosphere, the two big advantages of UV technology — low VOC emissions and economic processing — become even more attractive. This paper will focus on the new UV-Inert technology and provides recent results of an investigation on formulation and practical aspects like yellowing and improved surface properties of films radiation cured under inert conditions.