Development of Silicone-Polyether-Methacrylate Copolymer: A High-Performance UV-Cured Additive for Polyurethane Coatings

Ultraviolet (UV)- cured polyurethane acrylate (PUA) coatings have received much interest from the coatings industry because of their excellent performance, quick curing, and ecological advantages. However, improving their mechanical and surface properties remains challenging for various applications. This study explored the potential of incorporating silicone polyether methacrylate copolymer (SiPEA) as an additive to enhance the performance of PUA coatings. The research aimed to evaluate the influence of varying concentrations of SiPEA on the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of ultraviolet-cured polyurethane acrylate (UV-PUA) coatings. A series of UV-PUA formulations were prepared by systematically incorporating SiPEA in different proportions, ranging from 0 to 2.5 weight %. The coatings exhibited lower surface tension, good hardness, increased flexibility, and superior scratch resistance compared to the control samples. The findings of this study highlight the beneficial effects of incorporating SiPEA as a surface-active additive in UV-cured PUA coatings. The optimized concentration of 2.5 weight % of SiPEA resulted in PUA coatings with enhanced mechanical properties, improved chemical resistance, and retained optical clarity. This study explores high-performance additives, offering novel prospects for their use in the electronics, aerospace, and automotive sectors.