Hybrid inorganic-organic UV-curable abrasion-resistant coatings

Summary  By utilising the Michael addition reaction, a wide range of acrylate functional silane coupling agents have been developed. These can be used to confer functionality on the surface of nanocomposite colloidal oxides, particularly silica which can then be incorporated into acrylic UV-curable matrices. Coatings developed from these systems provide greatly enhanced abrasion resistance, and can approach the performance of thermally-cured silicone hardcoats. The wide range of coupling agents by this method allows considerable flexibility in the design of coatings suitable for different substrates and a wide range of applications. Acknowledgements: M Sollberger, T Washer, J Blizzard and J Tonge, Dow Corning Corp.