Isocyanate-Free Solvent-Free Hybrid Resin System

This Small Business Innovations Research Phase I project is designed to determine the feasibility of preparing an environmentally friendly isocyanate-free solvent-free hybrid resin system ssuitable fo industrial applications such as automobile refinishing and floor coatings. In particular, the overall objective of this program is to determine the most approptiate ratios or reactive groups of UV curable resins to provide imediate cure when exposed to UV light and to also provide a secondary cure rate, adhesionto cold rolled steel and aluminum, impact strength, and surface hardness. An important aspect of this technology is to significantly reduce exposure of workers and communities to isocyanates volatile organic coumpounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) materials. Phase I research is designed to provide sufficient groundwork for Phase II development of the technology. Phase II will involve the preparation and characterization of fully formulated hybrid resin systems, incorporating pigmentsk, corrosion inhibitors, and other important components. Ligh Curable Coatings is a technology leader for solvent-free environmentally compliant coating systems, with proprietary technology to rapidly cure heavily pigmented coatings with UV light, including low gloss camouflage color UV coating systems. The described isoyanate-free solvent-free hybrid resin system is proprietary to Light Curable Coatings. In additon to industrial applications that inculude automotive refinishing and floor coatings, this technology also has applicability to the aerospace industry. Anticipated benefits of the proposed approach include dramatically improved environmental friendliness and productivity capabilites The advantageous combination of UV reactive functional groups along with additonal functional groups allows immediate UV cure along with secondary cure for shadow ares, in a hybrid system will appropriate adhesion, impact strengh, and surface hardness for high performance industrial applications. Since these hybrid resins do not contain isocyanates or solvents, application in confined spaces and ocuppied spaces should be possible without the hazards presented by conventional materials. Opportunity costs, for example the appication of coatings during regular shifts insted of weekends or overtime shifts, can be a tremendous advantage. The fast curing nature lf these products alsoiallows coated parts to put back into service or production quickly without the need for painting at a location remote from a manufacturig line since there is no need to allow room for drying ovens and excessive ventilation.