Innovative Waterborne UV Polyurethane Dispersions for Wood Coatings

摘要

Waterborne UV technology will continue to penetrate industrial sectors as raw material suppliers and coatings manufacturers better understand the value proposition of this technology. The UV coatings in this study performed very well in all tests as specified by KCMA and some furniture manufacturer standards. As well, WB-UV finishes have been compared to WB-2K finishes according to specifications outlined by MFMA. They show clear performance advantages for flooring compared to traditional 2K PUDs. The UV formulations are also significantly lower in VOCs, have a longer pot life and remove the need to handle any crosslinking chemicals on the job site, thus increasing worker safety. These benefits have already been recognized in the industry and have recently led to the creation of a new group of materials recognized by the MFMA, "Group 6-High Gloss UV Finishes." Additionally, this is evident in the high-volume cabinet and wood furniture markets where WB-UV coatings are becoming the standard technology. Further developments are in progress investigating the application of UV finishes on substrates other than wood such as vinyl composite tile.