Resin Uvimer

It was our Initial aim to develop a basic oligomer or family of oligomers that. In suitably formulated systems, were relatively unaffected by the usual Inhibiting action of molecular oxygen. It was fortunate that In the early stages of the synthetic investigations such materials were obtained. Consequently, these newly synthesized oligomer structures became the basis for the Uvimer resins. Variants on the basic structures were later developed to obtain specific end-use properties. 

Selected reactive diluents are employed to reduce the viscosity of Uvimer M formulations and to Impart a greater flexibility to the cured product. The choice of a monomer or reactive diluent for a Uvimer ig based on a number of factors, including compatibility with the base resin, odor, volatility, toxicity, and its effect on specific properties such as adhesion. Changing the diluent monomer does not drastically alter the basic properties of the resin so that it is possible to supply a given UvimerTM with a choice of diluents in order to comply with particular user requirements. 

We will describe typical members of the Uvimer series In terms of their composition and physical properties. UvlmerTM 530, the first member of the series. Is a relatively hard, brittle and fast-curing resin which is suitable for use as an ink vehicle and as a coating on rigid substrates. The table below gives basic formulation and cured film properties of this UvlmerTM ... 

Data on Uvimer 740 Is presented in Table VII, while Uvimers 765 and 775 are compared in Table VIII, Uvlmer 740 is somewhat stiffer and harder than either 765 or 775, primarily due to the difference in the structures of oligomers D and E. It should also be noted that Uvimers 765 and 775 have better color and do not exhibit yellowing on aging. Since the latter two resins employ the same basic oligomer, it is evident that on the basis of viscosity reduction 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate is a more effective diluent than the 2-ethylhexyl acrylate/hydroxyethyl acrylate combination. Thus, it is possible in Uvimer 775, to employ a lower level of reactive diluent and thereby obtain a harder, stiffer, faster-curing formulation. 

For the past several years, Polychrome Corporation has had under development a family of energy-cur able resins which have been given the trade name of UvimerTM. Several of these materials have reached the commercial stage while others are in an advanced state of development. The present paper describes representative members of the Uvimer family of resins in terms of their basic physical and chemical properties and how these relate to specific end-uses. 

In regard to the relative insensitivity of the Uvimer materials to oxygen inhibition, the mechanism of this is not fully understood at present. However, we believe that it relates to a common structural feature in all of these resins, namely the occurrence of the ethylenic double bonds in a particular position relative to the other functional groups in the oligomer. 

The Uvimers comprise a useful new group of energy-curable resins suitable for a wide variety of applications. Special features which should be of interest to potential users include ... 

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