Working Principle and Technical Advantages of Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating

In today's competitive manufacturing environment, surface quality and user experience are key differentiators across industries such as consumer electronics, automotive interiors, and luxury packaging. Among the innovative surface treatment technologies gaining traction is Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating, a cutting-edge finishing process that delivers both visual and tactile appeal. With its unique matte effect and velvety feel, Excimer-based Soft-Touch coating not only enhances product aesthetics but also contributes to durability and environmental performance.

What is Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating?

Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating is a surface finishing process that uses Excimer ultraviolet (UV) light technology to cure a special coating material, resulting in an ultra-matte, anti-fingerprint, and scratch-resistant finish. The term “Excimer” comes from excited dimer, a type of gas used to emit short-wavelength UV light—typically around 172 nanometers (nm)—during the curing process.

Unlike conventional UV curing methods that penetrate deeper into the coating layers, Excimer UV light only affects the top surface layer, triggering rapid polymer crosslinking and forming a micro-textured, skin-like surface. This gives the coating a luxurious soft-touch feel and ultra-matte appearance without sacrificing underlying mechanical strength.

How Does Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating Work?

The Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating process typically involves the following steps:

Substrate Preparation: The surface (wood, plastic, metal, or composite panel) is cleaned and pre-treated to ensure proper adhesion.

Coating Application: A specially formulated UV-curable coating is evenly applied to the substrate using spray, roll, or curtain coating methods. The coating contains reactive photoinitiators and resins compatible with Excimer curing.

Excimer UV Curing: The wet coating is exposed to Excimer UV light at 172 nm in a nitrogen-inerted atmosphere. This short-wavelength light only cures the very top layer (a few microns) of the coating, rapidly hardening it and creating a micro-structured surface that diffuses light and feels soft to the touch.

Conventional UV or Thermal Post-Curing: To cure the lower layers of the coating and ensure full mechanical integrity, additional UV lamps or thermal curing units are used after Excimer exposure.

Final Inspection and Finishing: The surface is inspected for consistency, gloss level, and tactile quality before packaging or assembly.

Key Technical Advantages of Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating

1. Ultra-Matte Finish with Low Gloss

One of the standout features of Excimer coatings is their extremely low gloss (often less than 2–5 gloss units at 60°), far superior to traditional matte coatings. This is achieved without adding matting agents, which can often reduce mechanical strength. The microscopic surface structures created by Excimer light scatter light uniformly, providing a premium, non-reflective surface ideal for modern design aesthetics.

2. Velvety Soft-Touch Sensation

The micro-structured coating surface produced by Excimer curing gives a smooth, skin-like touch that feels soft and luxurious. This sensory attribute is especially valued in automotive interiors, home appliances, and high-end consumer goods, where user interaction enhances perceived value.

3. Outstanding Scratch and Abrasion Resistance

Despite the soft feel, Excimer coatings are mechanically robust. The rapid surface polymerization creates a dense, crosslinked top layer that resists scratches, scuffs, and abrasions better than many traditional coatings. This is particularly important for surfaces subjected to frequent handling or friction.

4. Anti-Fingerprint and Easy-to-Clean Properties

Due to its matte surface and reduced surface energy, Soft-Touch (Excimer) coatings are highly resistant to fingerprints, smudges, and dirt. Any residues that do appear are easy to wipe off, making this technology suitable for touchscreens, control panels, and furniture finishes.

5. Eco-Friendly and Low-VOC

Excimer coating formulations are typically 100% solids and solvent-free, contributing to low VOC emissions and compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Additionally, the highly efficient curing process reduces energy consumption compared to thermal or conventional UV curing, supporting sustainable manufacturing initiatives.

6. Surface Customization and Consistency

Excimer technology allows precise control over surface characteristics, including gloss level, texture depth, and curing profile. This level of customization ensures consistent quality across large batches and provides design flexibility for different product segments.

7. Wide Substrate Compatibility

Excimer coatings can be applied to a variety of substrates, including plastic, MDF, wood, glass, and metal, making it a versatile solution for diverse industries such as electronics, automotive, architectural materials, and interior design.

Applications of Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating

Thanks to its unique combination of aesthetic, tactile, and functional properties, Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating is being widely adopted in:

Automotive interiors (dashboards, door trims, touch interfaces)

Consumer electronics (smartphone cases, remote controls, laptops)

Furniture and cabinet panels

Kitchen appliances

Luxury packaging (cosmetic boxes, premium retail displays)

Future Outlook

As consumers demand both aesthetics and functionality, technologies like Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating are set to play a growing role in the surface finishing landscape. Ongoing innovations in UV chemistry, Excimer light source design, and automation integration will further enhance efficiency and surface performance.

Moreover, with global trends moving toward sustainability, recyclability, and user-centric design, Excimer-based coatings offer a future-proof solution that balances high-end visual appeal with durability and environmental responsibility.

Conclusion

Soft-Touch (Excimer) Coating represents a breakthrough in modern surface treatment, offering unmatched matte finish, tactile quality, and functional protection. Through a sophisticated curing mechanism and innovative chemistry, it enables manufacturers to elevate product value while aligning with sustainability goals. As industries continue to seek smarter, greener, and more engaging surface solutions, Excimer coatings will remain at the forefront of advanced material technologies.