UV Matting of Coatings

The impression of a matte film surface is created by the diffuse reflection of light from a micro-rough surface. Such a structure is obtained by 

A relatively new method uses 172 or 222 nm excimer radiation in nitrogen atmosphere.i The irradiation causes a surface cure of the acrylate coating similar to milk skim in appearance. In the second step, the coating is fully cured by UV or EB. 

Each method and application requires specific formulation with specific properties, such as solids content, density, viscosity, color, finished film thickness, scratch resistance, gloss, etc. An example of a UV curable formulation is in Table 7.1. 

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During the past 15-20 years, the use of UV-curable acrylates in inks and coatings has increased tremendously. In the can-coating industry, UV-printing inks are used on beverage and beer cans as well as on crown caps and aerosol containers. UV-curable acrylate coatings are used as wood finishes, mat varnishes, parquet varnishes and sealers, and as varnishes and coatings in the manufacture of furniture (Bjorkner... 

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