Feature

UV curing and tack free cures

Sometimes, cured UV adhesives have a tacky or sticky surface, even after being exposed to the correct amount of UV light – due to a phenomenon called oxygen inhibition. However, with a full understanding of the process, manufacturers can achieve tack free cures.

30/03/2020 16:28:29

Here, Matt Baseley, Senior Technical Salesperson of Intertronics, explains how to avoid a tacky surface after curing.

Most UV light curing adhesives cure with a free radical polymerisation process. When the correct wavelengths of UV light are absorbed by the photo-initiators in the adhesive, the photo-initiators generate chemically reactive-free radicals. These induce cross-linking, or polymerisation, of the oligomers and monomers in the adhesive – resulting in a polymer of cured material.

Oxygen inhibition

If the surface of the adhesive is exposed to atmospheric oxygen during the cure, oxygen can penetrate the very top layer and inhibit polymerisation. This causes an incomplete surface cure, leaving unreacted oligomers and monomers – the tacky residue. We would define tackiness as when you feel a tack as you rub your finger across the surface and get traces of wet residue on your gloved hand. Of course, if your bond is completely interfacial and between two surfaces, then oxygen inhibition will not occur, since the adhesive is not exposed to oxygen.

In situations where the joint design has exposed adhesive fillets and a sticky surface occurs, the bulk of the adhesive is cured and what the manufacturer is detecting is a very thin layer of adhesive constituent. Structurally, the bond is likely to be quite sound. However, it can be undesirable from the perspective of contamination or aesthetics.

Read the full article in the April issue of DPA.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.