The combination of UV-curing and nanocomposite technologyudhas been studied to produce cost-effective coatings withudsuperior physical and mechanical properties. The clay wasudmodified with dimethyl dihydrogenated-tallow quaternaryudammonium salt and made organophilic. The effect of theudorganoclay(2-10 phr) on curing rate, mechanical, thermal andudphysical properties of a urethane-acrylate coating has beenuddetermined. X-ray diffraction analysis, AFM, SEM and TEMudimages as well as the tensile properties of differentudformulations have confirmed the uniform distribution ofudorganoclay in polymer matrix. At 3 phr organoclay addition,udthe UV-cured film exhibited the best mechanical performanceuddue to the formation of both intercalated and exfoliatedudmorphologies. Curing time was reduced and the initial thermaluddecomposition temperature shifted 50°C to higher temperatureudby the incorporation of small amount of organoclay. Theudnanocomposite coating was also found to be more resistantudagainst scratching compared with clay-free coating.ud
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