Urethane acrylate oligomers are the main component and fundamental backbone of many UV- and EB-cured systems, ranging from coatings to inks to adhesives. In general, they are used when fast cure, excellent surface wetting and leveling, and exceptional toughness are necessary, with various grades available to help formulators customize flexibility and hardness characteristics. 

Why Use Urethane Acrylate Oligomers? 

Besides urethane acrylate oligomers, epoxy acrylate and polyester acrylate oligomers are other types of acrylate oligomers that energy-curable system formulations use. Compared to epoxy or polyester urethane acrylates, however, urethane acrylates often provide a better balance of flexibility and hardness and improved abrasion resistance. Therefore, urethane acrylate oligomers are viewed as high-value and high-performance options. 

Mitsubishi SHIKOH™ Urethane Acrylate Oligomers 

Mitsubishi Chemical Group manufactures SHIKOH™ urethane acrylate oligomers that provide formulators with the degree of quality and versatility necessary to create high-performing, future-focused formulations. SHIKOH™ oligomers can be categorized into three main categories: hard, medium–hard, and soft and elastic. 

Hard-Type Urethane Acrylate Oligomers 

Hardtype SHIKOH™ urethane acrylates deliver high surface hardness, abrasion resistance, and excellent adhesion to plastics. They help form films with a pencil hardness of approximately 3H and are ideal for substrates such as PET, PMMA, PC, and ABS. Listed below are examples where these oligomers are used. 

Currently, one grade of hard-type SHIKOH™ is available: SHIKOH™ UV-7620EA. 

Medium-Hard-Type Urethane Acrylate Oligomers 

Medium-hard SHIKOH™ oligomers form flexible yet durable films that can be characterized as intermediate in terms of hardness, forming films with a PET pencil hardness of approximately 2B. Example applications where these resins are used are listed below. 

SHIKOH™ UV-6630B and UV-7000B are examples of medium-hard-type resins. 

Soft & Elastic Urethane Acrylate Oligomers 

Soft, elastic SHIKOH™ oligomers create films with rubberlike elasticity, extremely high elongation, and outstanding lowtemperature performance. Films formed by resins in this category typically have a PET pencil hardness of less than 6B. These are the most flexible members of the SHIKOH™ family and are often used where substrates demand movement, bending, or impact absorption, such as in the listed applications below. 

SHIKOH™ UV-3700B, UV-6640B, UV-3000B, and UV-3300B fall within the portfolio of soft, elastic grades. 

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Overview of Grades 

ChemPoint offers SHIKOH™ urethane acrylate oligomers and formulation assistance to coating, ink, and adhesive formulators. Click below to request a sample and speak to one of our technical experts.