A Brighter Future in Composite Technology
Sunrez was instrumental in introducing light curing technology to the US 36 years ago. Sunrez developed this technology to solve a series of problems that exist with typical peroxide curing of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resin. It was our years of experience in traditional composite fabrication that provided the foundation for our knowledge of the shortcomings in peroxide curing and the advantages provided by light curing.
Sunrez-developed light cure resin technology provides a RAPID and CONTROLLED cure of polyester, vinylester, and urethane systems measured in seconds instead of minutes or hours. The advantages provided by Sunrez UV Curing Technology allows unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester, and other resins to be used in new applications and fabricated via new methods, opening many new opportunities in both composites and coatings.
UV curable resins differ from traditional peroxide and other two-part systems in that mixing in the initiator does not begin the reaction. The only thing that starts the reaction is exposure to UV Light energy. This basic difference leads to major advantages, particularly in less controlled situations like repairs and remote installs. Light curing of resins is only slightly influenced by temperature, therefore the cure time of parts is constant, whether cured in hot or cold environments. An additional benefit from utilizing light cure systems is that styrene emissions can be reduced by up to 95% depending on the fabrication method used (This is based on fabrication processes patented by Sunrez). The reduction in styrene emissions results from the cure mechanism which occurs from the top surface down.
Laboratory tests have shown that up to a 10% increase in physical properties has been seen using Sunrez light curing technology versus MEKP cure of the same resin systems. This difference results from the more complete cure of the resin system with the Sunrez photo-initiator systems.
Long Shelf Life of Photo-Initiated Resins putties and prepregs (No Gel Time drift)
Unlimited Pot Life for Resins (No Gel or Cure Until Exposed to UV-A Light)
No Wasted Resin in the Can (As Seen with Two Part Systems)
Significant Reduction in Resin Waste and Processing Cost
Rapid and Complete Cure at Ambient Temperature (Hot or Cold)
Prepregs and Putties Can Be Used for Repair Outside All Year Long
No Post Cure Required to Achieve Full Mechanical and Thermal Properties
Reduction of Internal Stresses in Cured Part
Significant Reduction of Styrene Emissions (due to top-down cure)
Safer UV-A Lights (wavelength 380–410 nm) (Compared to UV-B and UV-C)
Resin cures with sunlight as well as UV-A Lights
No VOC or HAP systems available
No Mixing or Metering Operations Required (One Part System)
