Guide to UV Measurement
UV Processing
A UV process involves the use of UV energy to bring about a chemical change in a reactive layer. An industrially important example is the conversion of a UV-curable liquid coating such as an ink or a hardcoat to a dry, tack free coating. In the absence of an appropriate source of UV energy, the coating remains in a fluid form and is considered uncured. Once exposed to a source of UV radiation, a polymerization reaction occurs within the coating and the coating cures.
A UV process requires three components:
Transfer of the basic chemical composition (items 1 and 2) from the benchtop to a production environment is relatively straightforward provided the components are mixed in the proper ratio and the formulation is kept away from a source of UV energy. Successful transfer of the process requires a process window specification be in place to provide details on how to correctly expose the chemistry to a source of UV energy in order to cure it.