Benefits of UV Systems

The primary limitation of UV systems is that the material to be cured must see suitable radiation. This means that, in an adhesive application, one substrate must transmit appropriate UV or visible light. Also, assemblies with shaded areas will require a secondary cure mechanism. 

One advance in UV systems is the ability to cure in shaded or so-called shadow areas i.e., in the areas where UV light cannot penetrate. This is particularly important in complex assemblies such as in electronics where an adhesive might wick into small holes or gaps. This is usually achieved by heat curing using a surface activator or incorporating 

It is not the intention of this report to fully discuss UV-curing equipment, save to say that a wide range of systems are available with various wavelengths and intensities, with spot-curing and flood systems being available. Articles on equipment and dispensers have appeared in Adhesive and Sealants Industry Magazine [29, 30]. 

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