UV Curing Adhesives and Potting Compounds

Recent advancements in ultraviolet curing have given engineers a new opportunity when choosing adhesives, potting compounds, coatings, and sealants. Until now, most of these systems were either two-component systems requiring mixing, one-component heat cure systems, or solvent-based systems. Ultraviolet curable formulations are materials that cure (harden or polymerize) when exposed to ultraviolet light. Epoxies Etc... has developed an extensive line of UV curing products designed to fit a wide range of electronic, aerospace, decorative, and medical device applications. Ultraviolet light exists just below visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. UV light ranges in wavelength from 100 to 400 nanometers and cannot be detected by the human eye. The UV spectrum can also be broken down further into three groups: UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm) and UVC (100-280 nm). UVB and UVC are higher energy and are generated from high intensity sources such as medium pressure mercury vapor lamps. Most photoinitiators absorb in the UVA and UVB region. For low intensity curing applications, fluorescent "black lights" are a convenient source of UVA.