Radiation induced curing of paint, in particular UV curable paints on vehicle body parts, uses radiant heater for heating paint and further radiation emitter to induce curing of paint layer

摘要

The painted or varnish coated side(2) of the substrate(1) is subjected to radiation(6) which induces curing and also to heating radiation(5) for drying. Radiation treatment occurs immediately after coating application. The type of radiant heat heats the paint during at least pat of the radiation induced curing stage. Radiation for inducing curing is UV(ultra-violet) or electron radiation and radiation for heating the paint is a thermal radiation source or microwave which heats the paint to 60-160[deg]C, preferably 80-120[deg]C. Coated substrates(1) may be moved past the two radiation sources in a drying and curing station, heat radiation for drying occurring prior to the curing inducing radiation. The curing inducing radiation stage is performed in an inert gas atmosphere, the gas being directed onto the substrate from above. Used gas is recovered in a chamber below the coated substrate and recycled. An independent claim is included for the process equipment which includes an additional radiant heating source(3) for emitting radiant heat(5) onto the coated side of the substrate.