Epoxy (Meth)Acrylates

Epoxy acrylates are fast-curing, high-performance oligomers used across energy-curable applications like coatings, adhesives, 3D printing, and composite raw materials. RAHN’s GENOMER^® Epoxy (Meth)Acrylates are UV-curable resins engineered for demanding use cases, offering high surface hardness, chemical resistance, and fast processing. Whether you're optimizing for speed, durability, or precision, our versatile product range ensures consistent and reliable performance.
 

What Are Epoxy Acrylates and Methacrylates?

Epoxy acrylates are a class of oligomeric resins formed by reacting epoxy compounds with acrylic acid. They cure quickly under UV or EB light, producing hard, chemical-resistant films. Epoxy methacrylates use methacrylic acid instead, curing slightly slower but offering lower shrinkage and improved toughness. Both are used depending on whether cure speed or reduced stress is the priority. 
 

Key Properties and Benefits of Epoxy Acrylates

• Fast cure speed - Enables rapid processing, ideal for high-throughput manufacturing.
• High surface hardness - Produces durable, scratch-resistant finishes.
• Chemical resistance - Withstands solvents, oils, and aggressive cleaners.
• Low Shrinkage - Particularly in epoxy methacrylate grades, which exhibit reduced polymerization stress, ideal for thick layers, precision molds, and applications requiring dimensional accuracy.
• High gloss finish - Delivers a clear, smooth appearance for decorative coatings.

Common Uses of Epoxy Acrylates

• Coatings - Used in wood, metal, and plastic finishes for hardness, gloss, and chemical protection.
• Adhesives - Formulated for fast-curing, high-strength bonds in electronics, optics, and industrial assembly.
• 3D printing - Provide structural integrity and detail resolution in UV-curable printing resins.
• Composites - Act as resin matrices for reinforced parts needing durability and low shrinkage.
• Electronics - Applied in conformal coatings and potting compounds to protect sensitive components from moisture and chemicals.
• Castings - Used in molds and encapsulation for parts requiring precision, dimensional stability, and resistance to shrinkage.

RAHN’s GENOMER product line offers a wide selection of UV-curable epoxy (meth)acrylate oligomers engineered for performance and process efficiency. Our resins are tailored for advanced formulations across industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do UV-curable epoxy acrylates compare to traditional 2K epoxy adhesives?

Epoxy acrylates cure instantly under UV light with no mixing, making them ideal for fast production. In contrast, 2K epoxies require precise mixing and longer cure times but offer exceptional thermal and structural strength.
 

When should I use an epoxy methacrylate instead of an acrylate?

Use epoxy methacrylates when reduced shrinkage, improved toughness, or higher dimensional stability is critical, such as in thick sections or flexible applications.
 

Will epoxy acrylate coatings yellow over time?

Aromatic grades may yellow under UV or heat. Aliphatic epoxy acrylates and stabilizer additives improve color stability in outdoor or light-exposed conditions.

What factors should I consider when selecting an epoxy (meth)acrylate?

Consider viscosity, flexibility, cure speed, shrinkage, and application method. For example, GENOMER* 2297 is ideal for low-shrink casting, while GENOMER* 2253 offers more flexibility.