Alternative curing methods of UV curable automotive clearcoats [Review]

摘要

Alternative methods for curing UV curable clearcoats were characterized using confocal Raman microscopy, nano-scratch measurements, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Clearcoats were cured using a xenon flash lamp, fluorescent UV bulbs with various spectral power distributions, and a microwave powered lamp. Raman spectroscopy was used to track acrylate double bond conversion of the clearcoat after each method of curing. DMTA was used to correlate double bond conversion to crosslink density. Nano-scratch results showed scratch resistance to be sensitive to the surface cure state. A combination of the flash and fluorescent methods produced a degree of cure similar to that of the microwave powered lamp. Scratch tests showed that clearcoats with a similar surface cure state achieved using different curing methods effectively had equivalent scratch properties. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [References: 11]