Specialty UV Additives for Coatings and Inks

UV additives are specialty chemical compounds used to enhance the durability and performance of materials exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. These specialty additives are crucial in preventing the deterioration caused by any type of radiation, which can lead to brittleness, discoloration, and loss of physical properties in various materials. They are commonly used in inks, plastics, coatings, and other materials that are exposed to sunlight or artificial UV sources. These additives play a pivotal role in industries such as printing inks, automotive, construction, and agriculture, where materials are frequently exposed to environmental stressors​.

GENORAD Series: Specialty Additives for Inks and Coatings

The products listed in the RAHN’s comprehensive product portfolio for UV additives, primarily include a series of In-can stabilizers under the GENORAD series. These specialty additives are stabilizers for inks and coatings, which can improve the performance in grinding and storage and provide benefits in anaerobic conditions. Tailored for demanding industrial processes, these additives ensure your products maintain their quality and efficiency.

Highlighted Products in the RAHN Portfolio

Among RAHN’s featured offerings:

• GENORAD* 23 – A versatile, all-purpose in-can stabilizer that acts as a polymerization inhibitor, significantly extending the shelf-life of UV-curable formulations.
• GENORAD* 40 – An adhesion promoter engineered for challenging substrates like metal, glass, and plastics, ensuring strong and lasting bonding performance.

RAHN’s additive solutions are engineered to meet the evolving needs of modern industry, providing both flexibility and reliability in UV-curable systems.

FAQ on Specialty/UV additives

What are UV additives?

UV additives are chemical compounds added to materials, particularly plastics, to protect them from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Purpose: UV additives help prevent degradation, discoloration, and loss of physical properties in materials exposed to UV light, such as sunlight. Types: Common types of UV additives include UV absorbers, quenchers, and hindered amine light stabilizers.

How does oxygen influence the autoxidation process of UV inks and coatings, and what role does it play as a stabilizer in the polymerization reaction?

On the one hand, Oxygen starts the autoxidation of UV Inks and coatings. Free radicals are formed and react in the presence of oxygen to form peroxy radicals that start the polymerisation. On the other side, Oxygen can be a stabilizer. It reacts very fast with the growing chain of the started polymerisation producing an oxygen radical which is much less reactive. This significantly slows down the rate of propagation.

What role do stabilizers, particularly antioxidants, play in UV curing processes?

A stabilizer is a substance that decreases the rate or prevents a chemical reaction. In the case of UV curing, stabilizers are often antioxidants.

What are the different types of UV coatings?

There are several types of UV coatings: UV-cured coatings harden quickly under UV light. UV protective coatings guard against UV damage. UV flexible coatings are for materials that need to bend. UV inks are used in printing processes.

What chemicals are in UV coating?

UV coatings typically contain photoinitiators (which start the curing process), resins (for strength), and additives (to enhance performance, like flexibility or UV protection).

What are challenges when using UV curable products?

Fomulators and manufacturers require highly reactive products for fast production, achieved with many acrylate double bonds and a high potential for radical formation. This makes UV curable products prone to polymerisation without UV light.