UV Curable
Dome and Decorative Coatings

Faster production
Cure on demand
One part resin
Small footprint
Less labour
No mercury or isocyanates

Description
DYMAX UV Curing Dome and Decorative Coatings cure crystal clear in seconds upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The instant, on demand light cure "locks out" airborne contamination. The thicker grades have been optimised for creating a dome which helps clarify and magnify images. The coatings are all one part so no mixing is required and viscosity and flow are consistent, which allows for fewer rejects.

Fast cure times of light cure doming resins mean greater productivity and less inventory. Light cure allows for the elimination of ovens, which will save manufacturing space while recovering high energy costs. UV curable dome coating and decorative coatings are solvent free and do not contain toxic mercury or isocyanates.

UV curable dome coatings

Features

Faster production
Cure on demand
One part resin
Small footprint
Less labour
No mercury or isocyanates

Product	Applications	Characteristics	Hardness Durometer	Viscosity (cP)	Relative Weatherability
Dome Coatings
DYMAX 4-20564	Small decals or badges (up to .25" × .5")	Clear, rigid dome coating that cures in seconds upon exposure to UV light. The coating is high viscosity, allowing for very high dome profiles which help magnify images. Designed to adhere to polyester labels, decals and plastics.	D-80	6,000	Limited outdoor
DYMAX 4-20577	Medium decals or badges (up to 1" × 3")	Clear, flexible dome coating that cures in seconds upon exposure to UV light. The coating has a medium/high dome profile. Designed to adhere labels and is best suited for coating decals less than 4 cm long.	A-70	1,500	Excellent indoor
DYMAX 4-20508	Plastic and metal name badges	Crystal clear, rigid dome coating that cures in seconds upon exposure to UV light. The coating has a high gloss finish and excellent adhesion to metal, glass and many plastics. Designed for doming.	D-80	735	Excellent indoor
Decorative Coatings
DYMAX 4-20638	High gloss	Clear, decorative coating that cures in seconds upon exposure to UV and/or visible. The coating has a low viscosity for a thin coating applications and resists many solvents. Has good adhesion to plastics, metal, glass and decals.	D-85	65	Limited outdoor

Selecting the Right UV Lamp
The UV curing lamp used affects appearance and feel of a coating. Although the highest power lamp will cure the coating fastest and produce the smoothest, slickest surface, it may also warp, yellow or melt the object being coated (and it will cost the most). It is always best to test an application with several light sources. Lifetime tests sometimes favor one lamp system over another.

Application	Recommended Lamps	Considerations
Small decals and pen tops on a rigid substrate	DYMAX 5000-PC or UV conveyor
Large decals on rigid substrates	DYMAX 5000-PC or DYMAX 2000-PC followed by 5000-PC	Second option manages heat
Small decals on flexible substrates	DYMAX 2000-PC
Medium and large decals on flexible substrates	DYMAX 2000-PC or black light followed by brief exposure to short wave light or a high power lamp	Second option manages heat and possible label warpage

Process Tips for Successful Coating

Avoid resin running over the edge of the label or object
1) Resin is deposited at the center of the label or object and flows towards the edges. Sharp edges tend to repel overflow. Irregular edges encourage overflow. Thick label stock tends to maintain its edge and minimise overflow.
2) Label backing can minimise or encourage overflow. If the backing material "wets" more readily than the label surface, it tends to draw the coating over. Using a backing that repels the resin encourages it to remain on the label.
3) Use an X-Y dispenser to dispense a pattern instead o a single drop on non circular objects. Pattern dispensing lets the resin flow to all the edges at the same time rather than all running to one edge where it can flow over before reaching the remaining edges.
4) Level the dispenser, transfer and curing stations.

Avoid air bubbles in the coating
1) Purchase products in air free packages (syringes or cartridges).
2) Dispense directly from the shipping container. If resin must be transferred from one container to another, then transfer the container at the end of the last shift.
3) Use low pressure dispensing. Since pressure drops can pull air into the dispensing line, dispense with the lowest pressure possible.
4) Use the shortest possible lines between the container and the dispensing needle.
5) Pass the uncured (liquid) coating underneath a natural gas flame to burst surface bubbles.
6) Process by continuous dispensing and purge tip when restarting line. Whenever fluid flow stops completely, the resin may retract. When resin retracts it can pull air into the line or dispensing tip. The air can create bubbles before it is purged from the line.

Eliminate warpage during cure
1) Some thermoplastics curl or warp when hot. Use a thermoplastic with a higher melting point or reinforcement to solve this problem. Using a thicker substrate may also eliminate warpage.
2) To eliminate curl when doming on thin polyester labels try pre-curing with a "black" light. The "black" light should have a maximum intensity at 365 nm. Regular purple colored bulbs or germicidal bulbs will not work. The pre-curing polymerises the coating below the coating's surface. A second lamp is then used to cure the surface to a scratch resistant state. As the label gets larger, softer resins are necessary to prevent warpage.
3) Use of thicker polyester stock to stiffer backing sheets minimizes curl of domed decals.

Other Information

Download the UV Curable Dome and Decorative Coatings Selector Guide

See also!

UV Curing Equipment

Light curing and UV curing adhesives

Dispensing needles & tips

DYMAX Complete Range Adhesives and Curing Equipment

	Obtain more information, samples or literature
	Contact details and purchasing instructions

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May 2012
Version 2.1

adhere - better bonding from intertronics

INTERTRONICS
17 Station Field Industrial Estate, Banbury Road
KIDLINGTON, Oxfordshire, OX5 1JD, ENGLAND
t +44 1865 842842 e info@intertronics.co.uk

Statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests we believe to be reliable but they are not to be construed in any manner as warrantees expressed or implied. The user shall determine the suitability of the product for his intended use and the user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith.