If you work with UV coatings, inks, or adhesives, you’ve probably run into the need for a monomer that cuts viscosity without killing adhesion or flexibility. That’s where tetrahydrofurfuryl (THF)‑based monomers come in.
At Sinocure Chemical Group, we offer three options in this family:
SINOMER® THFA, SINOMER® THFMA, and SINOMER® EO‑THFA.
They look similar on paper, but each has its own personality. Here’s how they compare, based on what we’ve seen in real formulations.
| Property | THFA | THFMA | EO‑THFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical name | Tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate | Tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate | Ethoxylated tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate |
| CAS No. | 2399‑48‑6 | 2455‑24‑5 | 79252‑75‑8 |
| Functional group | Acrylate | Methacrylate | Acrylate + EO chain |
| Viscosity @25°C (mPa·s) | 4 – 8 | 2 – 10 | 1 – 8 |
| Tg (°C) | -15 | ~10 | Lower than THFA (softer) |
| Key strengths | High dilution, good adhesion, low odor | Low shrinkage, low yellowing, harder film | Very low irritation, ultra‑low viscosity, smooth leveling |
| Skin irritation level | Moderate (typical acrylate) | Low | Very low (ethoxylated) |
THFA is our standard tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate. It’s been around for a while, and for good reason.
What it does well:
Dilutes like crazy – one of the best in the industry for lowering viscosity.
Sticks to almost everything – PC, PET, PVC, metal, glass, wood.
Flexible – Tg around -15°C, so it won’t make your film brittle.
Low odor – mild, sweetish smell, not the sharp stink of HDDA or TMPTA.
Flows nicely – fewer pinholes and craters.
Where we see it used:
UV coatings (plastic, wood, film) – add 5–20%
UV inks (screen, flexo, gravure) – add 5–15%
3D printing resins – add 10–30%
UV adhesives and nail gels
Downside? It’s an acrylate, so not for people with severe skin sensitivity. Also, weather and chemical resistance are only moderate – if you need real durability, blend it with IBOA or a cycloaliphatic monomer.
THFMA swaps the acrylate group for a methacrylate. That one methyl group changes quite a bit.
What you get:
Lower shrinkage – better dimensional stability.
Less yellowing – good for clear coats and white finishes.
Harder film – Tg around 10°C, so better scratch and heat resistance than THFA.
Milder on skin – methacrylates are generally less irritating.
Still low viscosity – 2–10 mPa·s.
Where it shines:
Optical coatings
UV adhesives for glass or electronics
Overprint varnishes (OPV) that need to stay clear
High‑end 3D printing resins
Trade‑off: It cures a bit slower than THFA. Bump up your photoinitiator or add a little amine synergist.
EO‑THFA is THFA with an ethylene oxide chain added. That makes it a specialty product, but worth it for certain jobs.
Why people switch to EO‑THFA:
Very low skin irritation – noticeable difference from regular acrylates.
Extremely low viscosity – 1–8 mPa·s, flows like water.
Smooth as glass – excellent leveling for thin films.
Mild odor – barely there.
Better weather resistance than standard THFA.
Best applications:
UV nail polishes (base/top coats, color gels)
3D printing for dental or skin‑contact models
High‑speed inkjet inks
Medical adhesives
Downside: It costs more than THFA. But if you need low irritation and smooth processing, it’s usually worth the extra.
Lowest cost + best dilution → THFA
Low shrinkage + low yellowing → THFMA
Lowest irritation + ultra‑smooth flow → EO‑THFA
General UV coatings → THFA or a blend with EO‑THFA
Skin‑contact products → EO‑THFA
Optics or structural adhesives → THFMA
All three mix well with each other and with most UV resins. For many formulations, a blend of THFA and EO‑THFA gives a solid balance of cost, viscosity drop, and skin safety.
We'll send samples and help you dial in the ratio. Just reach out.
Sinocure Chemical Group
Email: info@sinocurechem.com
Phone: +86 15668330235
Website: www.sinocurechem.com
