UV Curable Aerosol Coating for Low Flux Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiation curable compositions require high radiant fluxes for curing, which are dangerous and cannot be used with temperature-sensitive substrates. Additionally, these compositions often cure to be tacky due to oxygen inhibition, necessitating the use of nitrogen blankets.

Innovation Solution

A VOC-free low radiant flux radiation curable composition is developed, specifically designed for use in aerosol containers. The composition includes acrylate-terminated compounds, thiol monomers or oligomers, a photoinitiator, a surface additive, and an ethanol-based reducer, without acetone, and can be cured using low radiant flux energy from UV or visible light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high radiant flux energy sources are used to cure radiation curable compositions, then curing effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards and temperature sensitivity issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring effectivenessVSAvoidUV radiation danger and temperature sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the photopolymerization parameters by using photoinitiators that activate at lower radiant flux levels, allowing curing to proceed effectively at reduced energy intensities that are safer and more compatible with temperature-sensitive substrates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs readily available, safe light sources such as LED lamps that can be easily replaced and are inherently safer than high-flux UV sources, making the curing system more practical and less hazardous

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If conventional radiation curable compositions are used, then curing can be achieved, but tackiness due to oxygen inhibition worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring capabilityVSAvoidoxygen inhibition causing tackiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite curing system combining multiple photoinitiators with different spectral sensitivities and oxygen-inhibition-resistant monomers, creating a formulation that overcomes oxygen inhibition through synergistic effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a localized inert environment during curing by using photoinitiators that can activate polymerization so rapidly that oxygen inhibition is outpaced, effectively eliminating the need for nitrogen blankets while maintaining complete curing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If high radiant flux energy sources are used, then curing speed is improved, but adaptability to temperature-sensitive substrates worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring speedVSAvoidcompatibility with temperature-sensitive substrates

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy delivery parameters by using photoinitiators with lower activation thresholds, enabling rapid curing at reduced radiant flux levels that do not exceed the temperature tolerance of sensitive substrates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic control of the curing process through adjustable LED lamp intensity and exposure time, allowing the system to adapt to different substrate temperature tolerances while maintaining efficient curing speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for the application of UV curable coatings with an aerosol container, achieving rapid curing to a tack-free coating at low radiant flux, making it suitable for temperature-sensitive substrates and eliminating the need for hazardous high flux energy sources.

Implementation Method 1

a photoinitiator component... that can be cured using low radiant flux energy from UV or visible light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12214378B2Composition for aerosol cans, method of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 MSI COATINGS INC

AI summary

A volatile organic compound (VOC) free low radiant flux radiation curable composition for aerosol containers including an acrylate-terminated compound component, a thiol monomer or oligomer component, a photoinitiator component, a surface additive component, and an ethanol-based reducer, wherein the composition does not include an acetone component. Moreover, other implementations are directed towards methods of using the aerosol containers to apply the UV Curable Composition.