Effect of fillers on curing of wood surfaces with polyester oligomers by ultraviolet radiation

A set of formulations was prepared with polyester acrylate (oligoester M-9050) oligomers in combination with reactive diluents of different functionalities such as ethylhexyl acrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, and trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA). The thin films were prepared with these formulated solutions under UV radiation on a glass plate, and their physical properties such as pendulum hardness and gel content were studied. The formulation containing TMPTA showed the greatest pendulum hardness and gel content. The polished wood surfaces were cured with these formulated solutions. Physical properties such as pendulum hardness gloss at 20degrees and 60degrees angles, adhesion, abrasion resistance, and scratch hardness of UV-cured surfaces of the wood were characterized. The formulation containing TMPTA had the best physical properties. Two types of filler, sand and talc, were used in the base coat to obtain these better properties. Both fillers improved the properties; however, the 1% sand- and 4% talc-containing formulations performed better. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.