Nanoclay dispersion effects on UV coatings curing

Clay-based nanocomposites have already shown their great potential. In this study, clay–acrylate nanocomposite formulations, for wood finishes, were prepared in four differents ways. High-speed mixing, ball milling, bead milling and three roll milling were used to disperse clay into the neat acrylate formulation. The viscosity of the formulations was determined. Small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy experiments were performed on these samples in order to study the quality of the dispersion. Then, photo-calorimetry and real-time infrared spectroscopy were used in order to investigate the effects of clay loading and clay dispersion on the ultraviolet curing. These studies have shown that UV curing is related to the quality of clay dispersion. Presence of large clay aggregates decreases the conversion of the acrylate functional groups, even at a small clay loading. However, a small amount of clay, well dispersed, can help UV curing.