Dual-Cure Conformal Coating Composition for Shadow Cure and Thermal Shock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conformal coating compositions face issues with shadow cure due to high viscosity, leading to inadequate hardness and solvent resistance in shadow areas, and poor thermal shock resistance due to stress cracking, especially in high temperature environments.

Innovation Solution

A UV and moisture curable conformal coating composition comprising isocyanate functional acrylated polyurethane, acrylic monomer, photoinitiator, defoaming agent, dehydration agent, wetting agent, and coupling agent, with a rheology modifier, to ensure complete curing and improved thermal shock resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual-cure polyurethane resins are used to solve shadow cure, then moisture curing capability is improved, but viscosity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshadow cure effectivenessVSAvoidviscosity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin system by using isocyanate-terminated polyurethane oligomers with specific molecular weights and functionalities, combined with acrylic monomers and oligomers. This parameter optimization achieves low viscosity while maintaining dual-cure capability, resolving the contradiction between shadow cure effectiveness and viscosity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite resin system combining isocyanate-functional polyurethane components with acrylic components. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both low viscosity for good flow and adequate isocyanate content for effective moisture curing in shadow areas, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stress or pressure

If reactive diluent is added to lower viscosity, then flowability is improved, but isocyanate group concentration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveviscosityVSAvoidisocyanate group concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using traditional reactive diluents that reduce isocyanate concentration, the patent changes the formulation approach by selecting isocyanate-terminated polyurethane oligomers with optimized molecular weights. This parameter change allows achieving low viscosity through molecular weight control rather than dilution, thereby maintaining adequate isocyanate group concentration for effective moisture curing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional conformal coating compositions are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but thermal shock resistance deteriorates due to stress cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidthermal shock resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific acrylic monomers and oligomers with controlled functionality and molecular weight, combined with isocyanate-terminated polyurethane. This parameter optimization creates a formulation that is both easy to manufacture using conventional processes and provides superior thermal shock resistance by reducing stress cracking through improved flexibility and adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition exhibits improved retention of properties during thermal ageing, reduced stress cracking, and enhanced thermal shock resistance, maintaining flexibility and electrical properties in extreme temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

UV curable conformal coating composition comprising isocyanate functional acrylated polyurethane, acrylic monomer, photoinitiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

The atmospheric moisture reacts with free isocyanate groups in the dual cure resin forming an amine group(s). The amine groups react with other isocyanate groups to form a polyurea.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

The amine groups react with other isocyanate groups to form a polyurea

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Implementation Method 4

coupling agent, wherein the coupling agent comprises an acrylate functional silane and/or methacrylate functional silane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4504813B1Single component UV curable conformal coating with moisture secondary cure function
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 H K WENTWORTH LTD
  • EP4504813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4504813B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4504813B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A UV and moisture curable conformal coating composition comprising: from 25 to 65 wt.% isocyanate functional acrylated polyurethane, from 30 to 65 wt.% acrylic monomer, from 3.5 to 5.5 wt.% photoinitiator, from 0.1 to 1 wt.% defoaming agent, from 0.5 to 1.5 wt.% dehydration agent, from 0.2 to 1.5 wt.% wetting agent, and from 0.5 to 2.5 wt.% coupling agent.