Ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate

Ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (CAS 51728-26-8), also sold under the designation RP 1040, is a multifunctional acrylate monomer used as a reactive crosslinker and diluent in UV- and EB-curable systems.

The ethoxylation imparts flexibility and reduced skin sensitization potential compared to non-ethoxylated counterparts. This makes it a preferred crosslinker where film toughness and substrate adhesion must be balanced.

In UV-curable coatings, it crosslinks the polymer network to deliver hard, scratch-resistant films on wood, plastic, and metal substrates. Radiation-curable adhesives and sealants use it to control cure speed.

In printing inks, particularly energy-curable offset and flexo formulations, it improves ink film cohesion and reduces oxygen inhibition. This ensures a more efficient curing process and higher quality finish.

Plastic substrate coatings benefit from its ethoxylated backbone, which enhances adhesion to low-surface-energy materials without requiring primer layers. This simplifies the application process for industrial users.

Supplied as a clear to pale yellow liquid, it is typically available in drum and IBC quantities suited to industrial formulation volumes. Standard commercial grades are characterized by acrylate functionality.

Viscosity and acid value are key metrics, with technical-grade specifications being the norm for this product class. Some suppliers offer low-color or low-odor variants targeting high-quality graphic arts.

These specialized versions are ideal for optical coating applications where clarity is paramount. The material remains a versatile staple for manufacturers seeking reliable performance in radiation-cured systems.