Dimethylacrylate Siloxane - High Activity, Wide Crosslinking, Ideal for UV Curable Systems Changfu BMA12

ChangFu^® BMA12 (1,3-bis(3-methacryloxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane; CAS: 18547-93-8) is a highly reactive, bifunctional specialty siloxane monomer engineered for advanced polymer systems, particularly those relying on ultraviolet (UV) or thermal curing mechanisms. By combining the inherent weather resistance, water repellency, low surface energy, and oxidative stability of siloxanes with the rapid polymerization capability and functional versatility of acrylates, BMA12 serves as a powerful building block for next-generation materials. It significantly enhances the high/low-temperature resistance, aging stability, adhesion performance, and crosslinking density of polymeric matrices. This product is particularly suitable for end-capping and crosslinking organosilicon-modified resins, UV-curable coatings, 3D printing resins, silicone hydrogels, dental composites, and high-performance elastomers. The polymerizable double bonds at both molecular termini deliver exceptional reactivity and network formation efficiency, especially in UV-initiated curing environments.

Curing Principle

ChangFu^® BMA12 features a flexible tetramethyldisiloxane central backbone, which imparts silicone-like flexibility and low glass transition temperature, terminated with two methacrylate groups. Under UV light (with appropriate photoinitiators) or thermal initiation conditions, the carbon-carbon double bonds undergo rapid free radical polymerization. This process leads to the formation of a stable, highly crosslinked three-dimensional network. Compared to monomethacrylate or monoacrylate alternatives, the bifunctional nature of BMA12 enables chain extension and crosslinking simultaneously, resulting in a denser polymer architecture. This unique mechanism allows the final material to retain desirable silicone properties — such as hydrophobicity, gas permeability, and thermal stability — while substantially improving curing speed, hardness, solvent resistance, and mechanical integrity.

Key Product Features

• Dimethacrylate Functionality – Two reactive sites per molecule provide high reactivity and superior crosslinking efficiency, enabling rapid network formation even at low addition levels.
• Low Molecular Weight & High Crosslinking Density – The compact molecular structure allows for more thorough curing, producing denser coating or bulk material matrices with minimized microvoids and consistent overall performance.
• Excellent UV & Thermal Curing Performance – Fast cure speeds support high-throughput industrial processes, including high-speed roll-to-roll coating, digital inkjet printing, additive manufacturing, and UV adhesive dispensing.
• Improved Adhesion & Surface Properties – The siloxane backbone reduces surface tension, enhancing leveling, substrate wetting, and adhesion to challenging substrates such as plastics (PC, PET, PMMA), metals (aluminum, steel), glass, ceramics, and composites.
• Enhanced Durability – The presence of siloxane linkages boosts scratch resistance, water barrier properties, weatherability (UV resistance, humidity resistance), and long-term aging resistance compared to purely organic crosslinkers.
• Low Shrinkage Upon Cure – The flexible siloxane segment helps mitigate polymerization shrinkage, a common issue in UV systems, thereby reducing internal stress and improving dimensional accuracy in molded or printed parts.

Detailed Product Applications

• UV Cured Coatings, Inks & Adhesives

        In UV-curable formulations, BMA12 acts as a reactive diluent and crosslinking monomer. It improves coating smoothness, scratch resistance, water repellency, and outdoor weatherability. The monomer also optimizes leveling and adhesion across diverse substrates, making it an excellent additive for high-performance industrial coatings (e.g., electronic device coatings, automotive interior coatings), UV flexo and gravure inks, and structural or pressure-sensitive adhesives. Its low volatility and fast cure response also contribute to safer, more productive manufacturing environments.

• Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

        As a key crosslinking modifier in silicone hydrogel formulations, BMA12 enhances lens flexibility, oxygen permeability (Dk), and surface hydrophilicity after proper plasma or wetting treatment. The bifunctional methacrylate groups covalently integrate the siloxane segment into the hydrogel network, preventing phase separation and ensuring optical clarity. This leads to improved biocompatibility, reduced protein deposition, and greater wearer comfort over extended periods.

• 3D Printing Photosensitive Resins

        Effectively improves the curing efficiency and printing accuracy of photosensitive resin, reduces curing shrinkage, enhances the toughness and interlayer adhesion of the product, and increases the dimensional stability and mechanical strength of the molded parts.

• Dental Composite Materials

        Incorporating BMA12 into dental restorative resins improves material durability, wear resistance, and hydrolysis resistance. The siloxane component provides long-term stability in the moist, chemically aggressive oral environment, while the crosslinking methacrylate groups contribute to mechanical strength and fracture toughness. These characteristics help extend the service life of fillings, crowns, and other dental prosthetics, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

• Thermosetting & Thermoplastic Resin Modification

        BMA12 can be used to modify conventional resins such as epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic, and unsaturated polyester. It optimizes mechanical strength, low-temperature flexibility, electrical insulation properties, and flame retardancy (via siloxane char formation). Typical applications include high-performance composite matrices, electronic potting and encapsulation compounds, cable insulation materials, and specialty elastomers requiring both organic and silicone characteristics.

Why Choose ChangFu^® BMA12?

        With its distinctive molecular architecture — a flexible, hydrophobic siloxane core combined with two highly reactive methacrylate end groups — BMA12 precisely meets the demanding requirements of modern UV curing systems: high crosslinking density, rapid cure response, low shrinkage, and balanced material toughness. ChangFu Chemical is committed to delivering high-performance, environmentally responsible, and reliable silicon-based solutions tailored to customer needs. Each batch is tested for purity, refractive index, and reactivity to ensure consistent quality.

Note: Specific application results may vary depending on actual formulation, processing conditions, and substrate characteristics. For further product information, safety data sheets (SDS), technical data sheets (TDS), and customized formulation support, please contact our technical team.

Contact Information

ChangFu Chemical

📞 Mobile: (+86) 181-6277-0058

📧 Email: sales@cfsilanes.com

Key words:1,3-bis(3-methacryloxypropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane; CAS: 18547-93-8; Dimethylacrylate Siloxane; UV Curable Systems.