Glossy and UV-resistant urushi coatings
A new study describes the development of glossy and UV-resistant urushi coatings by thermal polymerisation.
The use and development of natural biomass-based plastics are attracting attention with the aim of limiting environmental pollution and conserving energy resources. Urushi, a natural curing resin traditionally used in numerous applications such as decorative arts, furniture, and tableware, has great potential as an environment-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Researchers have now produced urushi coatings in a short time using a thermal polymerisation method, which is more convenient than the conventional oxidative polymerisation method. The thermal polymerisation method requires less time and energy than conventional oxidative polymerisation and hence is more environmentally friendly.
Functional high-gloss urushi-coated films
The urushi coatings were exposed to UV-A irradiation for 0–30 days, and the effects of irradiation on the surface were evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy, gloss measurements, and pencil hardness tests. As a result, the scientists developed functional high-gloss urushi-coated films with excellent hardness using thermal polymerisation; these films retain these properties even after prolonged UV-A
irradiation.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 186, January 2024.
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