RadTech 2020 2.0 Webinar Series

RadTech 2020 2.0 will present a Speaker from the RadTech 2020 Technical Conference every week in an online format using the Zoom platform. Registration is free, but space is limited so make sure to register as soon as possible.

Enabling energy curable adhesion through polymer design

Dr. William Miles, Penn Color, Inc.

Energy curable systems are outstanding options for many different applications, but have limits because of difficulty achieving adhesion on low energy substrates. This presentation outlines the properties of a novel branched polymer that can be solubilized into UV monomers to enhance wetting – and thus adhesion – of energy curable coatings across a broad variety of substrates. This effect is achieved using a mechanism that relies on polymer architecture rather than surface tension. Results demonstrate that branched polymers can greatly enhance the work of adhesion of an energy curable system with a mechanism that is decoupled from interfacial attraction and surface energy measurements.

Effect of post-curing process on the performance of automotive 3D-printed specimens

Forough Shahraki, Eastern Michigan University

The final material properties of 3D printed parts that utilize UV curable resins are highly dependent on any post-cure processing used after printing. This post-cure step is needed to crosslink unreacted double bonds remaining after the print process is complete. However, differences in part geometry, pigmentation, stabilization, and resin formulation can make it difficult to employ a generic, one-size-fits-all post-cure process. In this study, the effect of the post-curing process on the mechanical properties of three different 3D printable, non-stabilized UV cure resin formulations (A and B with thiol-ene, and C with acrylate chemistry) was studied. To this end, type IV tensile bars were printed using a DLP printer and post-cured using one of five different processes: no post-cure, UV-only, thermal-only, UV+ thermal, and electron beam (EB) curing. Bulk tensile properties and nano-hardness values were measured for each of the formulations and post-cure conditions. Results indicated that thermal curing was not as effective as UV for system C compared to the two other systems, which could go under thermal polymerization as well. Also, regardless of the type of post-curing, system B showed the smallest change in mechanical properties before and after the post-curing. EB curing, even at very low dosages such as 1 Mrad, resulted in considerable embrittlement of the samples and a significant drop in their percent elongation at break. Overall, provided a suitable post-curing process is employed, all the systems demonstrated promising potential for automotive applications. Their performance is expected to improve even further after addition of hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) to the resin formulations.

Food packaging compliant inks and set-off migration

Julie Cross, Domino Printing Sciences

The challenges associated with migration when working with low viscosity inkjet systems for food packaging applications are well understood in the industry. This presentation will discuss the terms ‘low migration’ and ‘food packaging compliant’ and will then review a migration study completed with a food packaging compliant ink set with specific focus on set-off migration.

Photoinitiator selection to advance the UV curing industry in an uncertain world

Stephen Postle, IGM Resins

The UV curing industry stands at the brink of a number of compliance and performance challenges. Photoinitiators including acyl phosphine oxides and alpha amino ketones are under activist regulatory threat. In this presentation, we will present alternates to workhorse photoinitiators like TPO, novel photoinitiator blends offering dual cure options, acrylated photoinitiators for ultra-low migration, and patented acyl phosphine photoinitiators offering superior performance for sensitive packaging, ink jet, wood coatings and other sectors.ered.

North American Market Overview

Eileen Weber, allnex and President, RadTech North America
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM EDT

This presentation will serve as an overview to the North American market for UV+EB curable materials, equipment, and end uses.

Introduction to the Basics of UV/EB Curing

Dr. Mike J. Idacavage, Radical Curing, LLC

The Energy Curable industry has grown tremendously since its beginnings in the early 1970s. The use of light or low energy electrons as the energy source for curing coatings is very attractive from a sustainability point of view. However, the main driving force for this technology has been the ability to lower process time and costs along with the ability to prepare coatings with unique properties. This seminar will present an introduction to UV and EB curing. In addition to the basic chemistry, an overview of various aspects of formulating for UV coatings along with the equipment that is used will be covered.

Attainable Sustainable: Using Electron Beam Technology in Compostable Flexible Packaging

Karl Swanson and Sage Schissel, PCT Ebeam and Integration, LLC

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Sustainable practices, including material reduction and the use of bio-based, recyclable, or compostable materials, are forefront in the minds of both consumers and the packaging industry. This is especially true for flexible packaging, which has traditionally consisted of multi-layer, non-recyclable structures. In this study, the use of ebeam technology in the life cycle of a compostable, flexible package was investigated. This was the Best Paper Award Winner from the RadTech 2020 Technical Conference.

Effects of Structure and Composition on Mechanical Properties of UV Systems

Dr. Paul Share, Advanced Materials Design

The formulation of UV curable compositions for 3D printing requires the simultaneous optimization of opposing properties. Increases in cure speed, desirable for manufacturing throughput, can lead to brittleness, curling, and storage instability. Increases in tensile strength and impact resistance, desirable for structural components, can lead to poor flexibility and low elongation. Increases in elongation, desirable for elastomers, can lead to surface tackiness and poor tear resistance. There is also a limited range of acceptable formulation viscosities unique to each 3D printing technology which further confines the optimization space. In this presentation, a systematic synthesis and statistical mixture design study of the effects of oligomer structure and monomer formulation composition on the resulting mechanical properties of UV cured systems will be described.

High-Performance UV Curable Resin for Automotive Coatings

Marcus Hutchins, allnex

Light weighting, reduced carbon footprint, throughput, and sustainability are just some of the more common buzzards original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are using. They are looking for this advantage in not only the assembly process but every part and coating aspect that goes into that assembly. Going hand and hand with the challenges to improve the assembly process is the need to meet more stringent performance requirements. Allnex has developed a number innovative UV curable products that can be used in automotive refinish, films, conformal coatings, and glazing applications that maximize throughput and coating performance. This paper will discuss a variety of UV curable resins that can be used in a variety of automotive applications such as film and sheets used in IMD/IML, metallization, conformal coatings, structural adhesives and automotive refinish applications allowing formulators and finishers to capitalize on the intrinsic values of UV curable chemistry such as rapid throughput and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance.

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