Achieving fast, durable and consistent finishes on metal substrates with UV curing
UV curing on metal substrates is widely used across industrial applications due to its support for high line speeds, durable finishes, and consistent coating performance. Applications range from decorative and functional coatings on beverage cans to protective finishes on pipes, tubes, metal nameplates, and three-dimensional parts. By using UV curing, manufacturers can improve efficiency while maintaining high-quality coating.
Metal components, including propane tanks, under the-hood automotive parts, oil filter housings, and motor assemblies, are often coated or printed in demanding production environments. UV curing provides a fast, reliable method for drying and hardening inks, coatings, and finishes on these metal surfaces.
Types of coatings
Decorative coatings are applied to improve appearance, texture , and sometimes the durability of metal parts. These coatings are commonly used in industries such as metal container and can manufacturing, automotive, consumer electronics, architecture, appliances, jewelry, and furniture, where consistent, high-quality finishes are essential for large-scale production.
Functional metal coatings are engineered surface layers designed for performance rather than appearance. They protect, enhance, or modify metal behavior by adding mechanical, chemical, electrical, or thermal properties that areabsent in the base material.
Applications
Direct Printing and Coatings on Beverage Cans
UV curing for direct printing and coating on cans (often aluminum beverage cans) is a specialized process that instantly dries and hardens UV reactive inks during high speed production. This process enables full color graphics printed directly onto the metal surface without labels or sleeves. Specialized UV curable lubricity coatings are also applied on the bottom rim of the can to help cans move more efficiently through manufacturing and filling operations.
Pipe and Tube Coatings
UV curing for pipe coatings follows the same fundamental principle as other UV curing applications, using ultraviolet light to instantly polymerize specially formulated coatings. However, pipe geometry, coating thickness, and production environment make these applications unique. Pipes made of steel, ductile iron, composite, fiberglass, PVC, or polyethylene are coated with a UV reactive resin system for internal pipe lining, external corrosion resistance, and protective external coating layers.
Metal Nameplates and Identification Tags
Metal nameplates and identification tags are commonly produced using silk screen printing, in which UV curable inks are applied to the metal surface. This approach delivers exceptionally sharp graphics, durable colors, and fast curing, making it ideal for high volume industrial labeling. UV inks form a tough, abrasion and chemical resistant finish that adheres well to metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and coated steel. As a result, these tags maintain legibility and appearance even in demanding environments, including manufacturing facilities, outdoor installations, and equipment exposed to solvents and weathering.
Automotive Wheel Rim Coatings
UV curing for metal automotive wheel rim coatings is a fast, energy efficient method for curing special UV reactive paints or clearcoats applied to alloy wheels or other metal rims. UV systems deliver high intensity ultraviolet light that triggers a chemical reaction in the coating.
Three-Dimensional Parts and Components
Three dimensional parts such as oil filters, portable propane tanks, and a wide range of automotive components are finished using a UV spray coating. These coatings contain no solvents, meaning the full material volume contributes directly to the final film, resulting in excellent coverage and minimal environmental impact.
Solutions for Industrial Environments
Ruggedized UV curing systems are essential for reliable performance in dirty, harsh, or high contaminant industrial environments such as pipe manufacturing and other processes that require metal coatings. Excelitas offers two proven UV technologies for these conditions.
UV LED Curing: Phoseon FireLine™ FL400-i
The Phoseon FireLine FL400-i water-cooled UV LED curing system is specifically designed for demanding industrial coating applications. It features robust, ruggedized housing suited for challenging environments. This UV LED solution provides exceptional optical uniformity, ensuring consistent, reliable curing performance. The powerful FireLine is IP66-compliant, making it ideal for tasks that require high UV LED output. LEDs emit narrow band UV wavelengths (typically 365–405 nm).
Microwave-Powered UV Curing
Microwave powered UV curing is another widely used technology for applying and curing coatings on metal products, especially for applications that require broad spectral output. Electrodeless microwave UV curing systems use microwave energy to generate plasma and emit broad spectrum UV (UV A, UV B, UV C plus visible/IR). These systems improve production speeds and process consistency while reducing heat transferred to the substrate.