Additives for UV-curable coatings and inks

UV-curable silicones are a highly specialised class of compounds that can be applied in various applications e.g. as additives in UV-curable inks and coatings or as release coatings on paper and plastic substrates. Basically two classes of radiation curable silicones are available on the market today. Both, the free radical and the cationic curing process, offer each unique advantages to the customer. Applied as additives in UV-curable inks and coatings they offer several advantages such as improved wetting behaviour, scratch resistance, flow and levelling of the UV-curable inks and coatings. Additionally, the efficient cross-linking properties minimise the risk of migration.