Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) is a functional acrylic polymer with abundant pendant glycidyl epoxy groups. Thanks to its controllable molecular weight, good resin compatibility and reactive epoxy functionality, PGMA has become a vital functional modifier widely adopted in modern coatings and ink industry.Weicheng Advanced Material supplies customizable PGMA (Mw 40,000–80,000), including low-yellowing electronic grade specially developed for high-end coatings and ink formulations.

1. Reaction Principle of PGMA in Coatings & Inks

PGMA carries multiple epoxy side chains along the polymer backbone.During thermal curing or dual UV-thermal curing process, epoxy groups can covalently react with:

• Carboxyl groups (-COOH)

• Hydroxyl groups (-OH)

• Amino groups (-NH₂)

Additional crosslinking points are formed inside the coating film. This builds a denser crosslinked network, significantly boosting comprehensive film performance.

2. Main Application Fields

2.1 PCB UV Solder Resist Ink (Dual-Curing System)

This is one of the most mature high-end applications for electronic-grade PGMA.

• Work mechanism: Participate in post thermal crosslinking after UV primary curing

• Performance improvements:

• ✅ Stronger adhesion on copper circuit substrate

• ✅ Enhanced solvent resistance, flux resistance and anti-soldering performance

• ✅ Improve film insulation and hardness

• ✅ Low yellowing grade available for white solder resist ink

• Recommended dosage: 3 ~ 8 wt% of resin phase

2.2 UV Curable Coatings

PGMA works well in dual-curable UV coatings for plastic, metal and electronic components.

• Increase crosslink density

• Improve scratch resistance, chemical resistance and thermal stability

• Reduce coating brittleness

• Suitable for transparent coating requiring long-term color stability

2.3 Powder Coatings

PGMA acts as reactive modifier for polyester powder coatings.

• React with terminal carboxyl groups of polyester resin

• Promote crosslinking, enhance surface smoothness and weather resistance

• Optimize mechanical properties: impact resistance and bending performance

• Reduce pinhole defects during curing

2.4 Thermosetting Industrial Coatings

For solvent-based and water-based thermosetting coatings based on polyester and acrylic resin:

• Improve coating compactness

• Boost anti-corrosion property for metal substrates

• Enhance adhesion between coating and base material

2.5 Special Printing Inks

Used in high-performance industrial printing inks requiring heat resistance and solvent resistance.Improve ink film toughness, wear resistance and adhesion on difficult substrates.

3. General Performance Advantages Brought by PGMA

✅ Great compatibility with acrylic resin, polyester resin, alkali-soluble resin

✅ Low tendency of gelation, wide processing window

✅ Low yellowing electronic grade minimizes color shift after thermal aging

✅ Improve hardness, abrasion resistance and chemical resistance of cured film

✅ Enhance substrate adhesion (metal, plastic, circuit board)

✅ Flexible dosage, easy formula adjustment

4. Formulation Important Notes

1. PGMA is supplied as free-flowing white powder, easy to disperse in resin system under stirring.

2. Curing temperature: Epoxy-carboxyl reaction normally starts above 120°C. Suitable for dual-curing formulations with post bake process.

3. Avoid long-term ultra-high temperature storage of mixed sizing material to prevent premature crosslinking.

4. Select low hydrolyzable chlorine, low residual monomer grade for electronic and transparent coating systems.

5. Weicheng PGMA Suitable for Coatings & Inks

✅ Custom molecular weight: Mw 40,000–80,000

✅ Low yellowing electronic grade, low residual GMA monomer ≤0.3%

✅ Low hydrolyzable chlorine ≤15 ppm

✅ Stable batch quality, self-produced high-purity GMA raw material

✅ ISO certified, EU REACH compliant

✅ Complete COA, TDS, MSDS provided for export

Contact Weicheng Advanced Material (Shandong) Co., Ltd to get PGMA samples for your coating and ink lab evaluation.