? How It Works:
- Material contains photoinitiators: These are special chemicals that react to UV light.
- Exposure to UV LED light: When the material is exposed to UV light of specific wavelengths (often 365, 385, 395, or 405 nm), the photoinitiators trigger a polymerization reaction.
- Rapid curing: The material changes from a liquid or gel to a solid within seconds.
✅ Common UV LED Cured Materials:
- UV adhesives (e.g., for electronics or glass bonding)
- UV coatings (e.g., on wood, plastic, or automotive parts)
- UV inks (e.g., used in digital or screen printing)
- UV-curable resins (e.g., in 3D printing)
? Advantages Over Traditional UV Lamps:
| Feature | UV LED Curing | Traditional UV (Mercury Lamp) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency | High (less heat & power) | Lower |
| Lifetime | 10,000–20,000 hours | 1,000–2,000 hours |
| Heat Generation | Low (good for heat-sensitive materials) | High |
| Instant On/Off | Yes | No (needs warm-up time) |
| Environmental Impact | No mercury, safer | Contains hazardous mercury |
? Applications:
- Electronics assembly (e.g., bonding camera modules)
- Medical device manufacturing
- Automotive refinishing
- Optical lens and fiber alignment
- UV inkjet printing