How are network structures generated in applied coating systems?
The development of high-quality coating systems requires the use of special energy-related chemical-reaction mechanisms to enable the formation of complex network structures. These network-formation reactions take place between high-molecular-weight polymer chains containing reactive functional groups or between polymer chains and crosslinking oligomers. In understanding how the various energy sources and curing methods function, it should be noted that energies on the order of a few electron volts are often sufficient to break a chemical bond or raise a molecule to an electronically excited state. Therefore, in general, UV, EB, IR, microwave, and radio-frequency radiation sources can generate reactive chemical species similar to those produced by, for example, heating a coating in a conventional oven. Compared to the conventional use of ovens to drive off solvents or water and to apply heat to cure coatings, adhesives and inks, radiation energy interacts directly with specially formul
