Abstract
Different polymeric formulations were developed with epoxy diacrylate (EA-1020) in combination with a trifunctional monomer trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA) in the presence of a photoinitiator, Darocur 1173. Thin polymer films were prepared with these formulations under ultraviolet radiation and were characterized. Thin film produced by formulation containing oligomer 70% and TMPTA 28% yielded the highest film hardness whereas maximum gel content was observed from formulations containing 60% oligomer. Hardboard surface was treated with these formulated solutions and cured under UV radiation. Their physical and mechanical properties were studied. It was found that the formulation H4 containing 70% epoxy oligomer and 28% TMPTA exhibited comparatively better physical properties. The surface of the hardboard was pretreated by different percentages (3–10%) of ethanoic acid. The pretreated surface was again treated by the same polymeric formulations and cured by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The pretreated surfaces were then featured with respect to the acid concentration. It was found that pretreatment enhanced pendulum hardness (PH), gloss, adhesion, and abrasion resistance properties of the surface coated by these formulating solutions.