The UV curable base coat for aluminum metalizing process has been used in plastic parts fabrication for around 30 years because of its high productivity and small damage on plastic substrate from heating. Since general UV curable base coat for metalization does not have high heat resistance, this application targets have been limited to the decorative parts of clocks, cosmetic containers or bottles, lipstick caps, and others, which are not required durability in performances. In the middle of 90th, the metalized plastic reflector for automotive had been increasing with UV curable base coat and thermoplastics, (e.g. PC, PBT/PET, ABS, AS, PET etc.) or thermo set plastics (e.g. BMC; Bulk Molding Compound) because of its design flexibility, high productivity and ability of decreasing car weight. These metalized reflectors have been required high performances such as appearance, film uniformity, heat and moisture resistance and durability. Therefore we have developed high performance base coat for automotive lighting parts. In this study, we investigated the influence of base coat composition and spray application factor on producing BMC reflectors. The proper composition consisted of an acrylic polymer and a polyester resin was considered for best coatings with wide process window for application according to various evaluations. These metalized products with UV curable base coat will be expected to continue growth in automotive lighting market in the world.
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