UV-paints, adhesives and composites all contain a photoinitiator. A photoinitiator is a compound that is added in order to convert UV-light into energy which in turn brings about the drying.
A UV-paint will only cure if the photoinitiatior absorption spectrum is known. Or put differently: there is a wavelength at which the photoinitiator absorbs light and tuns it into energy (and drying capacity) most efficiently. That wavelength should also be emitted by the curing device.
UV-curing has been around since the 1960’s and has replaced conventional water and solvent-based thermal drying processes due to its increased productivity, improvement of product quality and performance and environmental friendliness.
However, so far, the UV-light that is used to cure is produced by mercury vapour lamps and these consume a lot of energy, have short operational lifetimes and contain hazardous chemicals. LED-technolgy based UV-Curing offers a very efficient, enviromentally friendly curing method instead.
Led Curing Systems
