Acrylated Lesqverella Oil in Ultraviolet Cured Coatings

Environmental concerns focusing on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be ameliorated via the development and use of very lowto no-VOC coatings. Ultraviolet (W) radiation curing is an effective means of incorporating low molecular weight reactive species into high performance, onvolatile polymers. The advantages of W curing include rapid polymer network formation on heat sensitive substrates, reduced energy consumption, low emissions, and minimal space requirements.' When cost is a consideration, W curing offers additional advantages by eliminating the need for high volume air movement, expensive to operate ventilation systems, solvent recovery units, or sir scrubbers. However, more often than ot, W curing is accompanied by appreciable volume shrinkage which can cause loss of adhesion, poor edge coverage, and other film defects .