UV curing for composite materials is a process in which materials consisting of several layers or components - such as resins in combination with fibres - are cured using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The UV light triggers a photochemical reaction in the resin, which enables fast and efficient curing.
At IST METZ, we are world leaders in the development of UV lamp and LED UV systems. With over 45 years of experience, we are a reliable partner for companies worldwide that rely on state-of-the-art UV and LED technologies. In particular, we set standards in the production of composite components through innovative advances in UV curing technology for polymer matrices. Our UV and LED UV systems optimise the manufacturing process by curing coatings and adhesives quickly and efficiently while ensuring outstanding surface properties. This technology not only shortens production times, but also contributes significantly to energy savings.
UV curing has become established as a versatile solution for a wide range of production processes. It is used in wet lay-up techniques, vacuum infusion with UV-transparent membranes, filament winding, prepreg processes and continuous flat processes. UV curing is frequently used in industries such as automotive, aerospace and electronics, where composites are used for parts such as structural components, coatings and laminates.
A key advantage of UV curing is the short curing time. With suitable materials and process conditions, curing can take place within just a few minutes, whereas thermal processes may require longer curing times depending on the application. This can result in shorter cycle times. The actual energy requirement depends on the specific application, material, system configuration and process parameters.
Another advantage of suitable UV formulations can be their styrene-free composition. Corresponding one-component (1K) solutions can have a pot life of several months and may not require refrigerated storage.
By using different curing sources tailored to specific applications and curing strategies, the respective curing requirements can be taken into account. The laminate thickness suitable for UV curing depends, among other factors, on the material structure, formulation and specific process conditions. Multi-layer structures can also be considered, providing additional possibilities for different composite designs.
A key advantage of our UV and LED UV systems is the use of application-specific curing sources that can be adapted to different applications and curing strategies. The systems also enable the curing of multilayer laminate structures, opening up additional possibilities for complex composite designs. The curing mechanism is based on free-radical polymerization for acrylate resins or cationic polymerization for epoxies and vinyl ethers.
The crosslink density – and therefore the mechanical strength of the UV-cured polymer matrix – is influenced by factors including UV intensity, exposure time and curing temperature.
Our experience in developing and integrating customized light sources, combined with the ability to combine LED UV and UV lamp technologies, enables solutions for a wide range of requirements. Our UV and LED UV systems are used in various industries, including electronics, displays, medical technology, automotive, wood, cosmetics, metal, flooring and energy storage.
Drawing on our experience in process development and modern ray-tracing simulations, we develop customized solutions for a wide range of UV curing processes.
