In the world of UV-curable inks, coatings, adhesives, and 3D printing resins, the choice of reactive diluent can make or break a formulation. Traditional monomers like N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and N-vinyl caprolactam (NVC) have long been industry workhorses – but they come with growing regulatory scrutiny and handling challenges.
Enter SINOMER® VMOX (Vinyl Methyl Oxazolidinone) – a liquid vinyl monomer engineered to deliver the performance formulators need without the baggage of traditional alternatives.
At its core, VMOX is a vinyl monomer with a unique oxazolidinone ring structure. This molecular architecture gives it a combination of properties that are hard to find in a single product:
Ultra-low viscosity – approximately 4 mPa·s at 20°C, lower than most conventional reactive diluents
High copolymerization reactivity with acrylates – fast, efficient curing
Excellent adhesion to all common substrates, even at low dosages
Favorable toxicological profile – no “serious health hazard” or “acute toxicity” warnings under ECHA classification
Liquid at room temperature – easy handling, no melting equipment required
The key takeaway: VMOX delivers the performance you expect from NVP or NVC, without the regulatory headaches or handling hassles.
With a viscosity of approximately 4 mPa·s, VMOX is one of the lowest-viscosity reactive diluents available. This makes it exceptionally effective at reducing formulation viscosity – enabling high-performance UV inkjet inks with viscosities below 10 mPa·s, where traditional diluents often fall short.
VMOX promotes excellent adhesion to all common substrates, including difficult-to-bond low-energy surfaces like plastics. In fact, VMOX-based formulations have demonstrated adhesive properties comparable to NVP and NVC – even at lower concentrations.
The high glass transition temperature (Tg) of VMOX-based polymers enhances the toughness, scratch resistance, and thermal resistance of cured films. This is particularly valuable in demanding applications like automotive coatings, electronic encapsulants, and high-durability 3D-printed parts.
VMOX enables virtually odorless formulations – a significant advantage for applications where end-user experience matters, such as food packaging, medical devices, and indoor coatings. Its favorable toxicological profile means fewer regulatory hurdles compared to traditional vinyl monomers.
VMOX imparts improved color response and brilliance to final printed and coated products. For applications where visual quality is critical – such as high-end packaging, graphics, and photographic prints – this is a distinct advantage.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid |
| Color (APHA) | ≤ 50 |
| Viscosity (cps) | < 5 (approx. 4 mPa·s at 20°C) |
| Purity | ≥ 99% |
| Water Content | ≤ 5000 ppm |
| Acid Value | ≤ 0.1 mg KOH/g |
| CAS No. | 3395-98-0 |
| Molecular Formula | C₆H₉NO₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 127.14 g/mol |
Note: This data sheet is intended to give typical results, not a standard. Subject to Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Recommended dosage: 5 – 30% depending on target viscosity and performance requirements.
Typical applications:
UV inkjet inks: 10 – 25%
Screen printing inks: 5 – 20%
UV coatings: 5 – 20%
UV adhesives: 10 – 30%
3D printing resins: 10 – 25%
Optimal dosage should be determined through application-specific testing.
A: VMOX-based formulations display adhesive properties similar to NVP and NVC, even at lower concentrations. This makes VMOX an effective drop-in replacement for NVP in many formulations.
A: No. Unlike NVP, which has been banned by EuPIA for use in printing inks due to its mutagenic/carcinogenic classification, VMOX offers a favorable toxicological profile. Under ECHA classification, VMOX does not require “serious health hazard” or “acute toxicity” warning labels.
A: Yes. VMOX has a melting point of 20°C and is liquid at room temperature. Unlike NVC, which is solid at room temperature and requires heating equipment, VMOX is ready to use straight from the container.
A: Approximately 4 mPa·s at 20°C, making it one of the lowest-viscosity reactive diluents available. This provides excellent dilution power, particularly important for low-viscosity UV inkjet inks.
A: Yes. VMOX enables virtually odorless formulations, making it suitable for applications where residual odor is a concern, such as food packaging, cosmetics, and indoor coatings.
A: VMOX provides excellent adhesion to all common substrates, including difficult-to-bond low-energy surfaces like plastics. It is particularly effective on non-polar substrates where other monomers struggle.
A: Yes. VMOX is widely used as a monomer and reactive diluent in 3D printing formulations. It improves mechanical properties of printed parts, enhances adhesion between layers, and reduces formulation viscosity for smoother printing.
A: VMOX enhances color brilliance and provides a more neutral color response. This is particularly noticeable in white and bright-colored formulations.
A: Yes. VMOX exhibits high copolymerization reactivity with acrylates. It is highly miscible with most UV resins, reactive diluents, and oligomers.
A: 12 months when stored in original unopened packaging under recommended conditions (cool, dry, away from light and heat).
Sinocure Chemical Group
No. 61, South Industrial Road, Jinan Area of Shandong Pilot Free Trade Zone, China
Email: Info@sinocurechem.com | Tel: +86 15668330235
Website: www.sinocurechem.com
For free samples, technical data sheets, or custom formulation support, please contact our technical team.
This document is for informational purposes only. Users should conduct their own testing to determine suitability for their specific applications. SINOMER® is a registered trademark of Sinocure Chemical Group.
