| Abstract: | In order to improve the surface of partex by photocuring, various formulations of epoxydiacrylate (EB-600) oligomer, with a trifunctional monomer trimethylol propane triacrylate and a photoinitiator Irgacure 369 2-benzyl 2-dimethylamine-1 (4-morpholinophenyl) butanone-1] were developed. Two fillers CaCO3 and sand (SiO2) were incorporated with base coat formulations to study their role in the properties of UV-cured partex surfaces. Thin polymer films were prepared on glass plate with these formulations and finally applied on polished partex surface and both were cured under UV radiation. Radiation intensities, expressed by number of passes were optimized to the extent of pendulum hardness (PH) and gel content. The properties of cured partex surface such as PH, gloss—both at 60 and 20° angles, macro and micro scratch hardness, adhesion strength of the coatings, and abrasion resistance were studied as a function of the concentration of fillers. The base coating containing 4% CaCO3 and 3% SiO2 showed the best performance amongst all of them. The effect of simulating weathering on the properties (PH, gloss, and adhesion) of the cured surface was also studied. |
