Chivacure^® / R-gen^®: Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators are essential components in light-cured coating systems. They enable coatings to cure upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) or visible light, eliminating the need for conventional high-temperature thermal curing.

Working Principle of Photoinitiators

1. Absorption of Light Energy: Photoinitiators function by absorbing energy from UV or visible light.
2. Molecular Decomposition: The absorbed light energy causes photoinitiator molecules to decompose and generate free radicals or protonic acids.
3. Formation of Highly Reactive Species: These reactive species play a key role in initiating polymerization.
4. Initiation of Polymerization: The reactive species trigger polymerization, forming a network structure and rapidly curing the coating.

Advantages of Light-Cured Coatings

Compared with traditional heat-curing methods, light-induced curing offers several major benefits:

1. Faster Cure Times: Rapid curing significantly improves production efficiency.
2. Lower Energy Consumption: Since no high temperatures are required, energy usage is reduced.
3. Room-Temperature Curing: Enables flexible application with no additional heating.
4. Reduced Emissions: Light-curing lowers VOC emissions, improving environmental and workplace conditions.
5. Suitable for Heat-Sensitive Substrates: Eliminates thermal damage risks, expanding application possibilities.

Expanding Applications Across Industries

With these advantages, light-cured coatings are increasingly adopted across industries. Photoinitiators, as core functional additives, enable fast, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly curing solutions for diverse coating applications.