Polymer curing

Cole reviews the nse of Raman spectroscopy to monitor the curing of different thermoset composite polymer systems, thongh he cautions that it is not suitable for certain materials [215]. Cruz et al. studied the effect of elevated pressure on the cure rate and the degree of cnre of unsaturated polyester and other thermoset materials [216,217]. The approach worked well, though the experimental set up required addi- 

---

Formulation. Polysulftde-based sealants are formulated with appropriate ingredients to obtain the desired properties for a particular appHcation. A typical formulation contains Hquid polysulftde polymer, curing agent, cure accelerators (bases) or retarders (acids), fillers, plasticizers, thixotropes, and adhesion promoters. 

Among the preformed polymers cured by minor additions of aHyl ester monomers and catalysts followed by heat or irradiation are PVC cured by diallyl fumarate (82), PVC cured by diallyl sebacate (83), fluoropolymers cured by triaHyl trimeUitate (84), and ABS copolymers cured by triaUyl trimeUitate (85). 

Nonvinyl polymers cured by TAG include polyamides (120), polyamide—polyurethane blends (121), caprolactone polymers (122), terephthalate polymers (123), epoxy resins (124), and acryflc epoxies (125). 

A recent addition to Table 3, Reactive Blue 246 differs from the other dyes and is not added to a finished lens. The dye molecule has methacrylate groups attached to an anthraquinone and is incorporated directiy into the polymer matrix during polymer cure (175). This in-monomer concept has the potential to reduce dramatically the cost of visibiUty tinting of a contact lens. 

Minimizing the cycle time in filament wound composites can be critical to the economic success of the process. The process parameters that influence the cycle time are winding speed, molding temperature and polymer formulation. To optimize the process, a finite element analysis (FEA) was used to characterize the effect of each process parameter on the cycle time. The FEA simultaneously solved equations of mass and energy which were coupled through the temperature and conversion dependent reaction rate. The rate expression accounting for polymer cure rate was derived from a mechanistic kinetic model. 

In order to understand the effect of each process variable, a fundamental understanding of the heat transfer and polymer curing kinetics is needed. A systematic experimental approach to optimize the process would be expensive and time consuming. This motivated the authors to use a mathematical model of the filament winding process to optimize processing conditions. 

Differential photocalorimetry (DPC) is included here since the instrument used is essentially an adaptation of DSC instrumentation. The photocalorimeter comprises a DSC instrument with a UV/visible source mounted on top, such that light of appropriate wavelength or wavelength region from the source is focused onto the measuring head (both reference and sample pans). The most frequent use of DPC is in the study of polymer cure reactions, but it may also be used to follow such as UV degradation. 

Unfunctionalized, i.e., 2-hydroxypropylamide functional, hyperbranched polyesteramides have been tested in powder coating formulations together with stoichiometric (OH/COOH) amounts of acidic polyesters (Uralac). It was anticipated that the reaction of the hydroxyl end groups of the polyesteramide with the carboxylic acid end groups of the polyester would provide a well-crosslinked film with good mechanical properties by polymer/polymer cure. 

The dynamic mechanical properties of elastomers have been extensively studied since the mid-1940s by rubber physicists [1], Elastomers appear to exhibit extremely complex behavior, having time-temperature- and strain-history-dependent hyperelastic properties [1]. As in polymer cures, DMA can estimate the point of critical entanglement or the gel point. 

Fig. 4. Variation of K,c with crosshead speed, y, for a DGEBA epoxy polymer cured with different stated phr of TETA and tested at 20 °C 1,1 Brittle stable (type C) propagation O Kfa,...

The theory has been examined by measuring the ratio K,c/Klcs as a function of j/g, as shown in Fig. 17. The theoretical lines have been fitted to the experimental points by choosing suitable values of the critical distance, c, which is the only fitting parameter. The agreement between theory and experiment has been found to be equally good for many different epoxy polymers cured with many different hardeners, both unmodified 44- 45,51), rubber-modified 45) and containing glass particles 22) and even, under certain circumstances, for structural adhesive joints S3). Values of critical stress, ct,c, and distance, c, for various epoxy materials, obtained from bulk and... 

The microdielectrometer has been used to monitor polymer curing in-situ 22.23. The CFT device can make measurements at lower frequencies than could be achieved by conventional dielectric measurement techniques. Measurements at multiple frequencies can be made in real-time. A Fourier transform equivalent of the microdielectrometer has been developed to extend the frequency range to as low as 0.005 Hz 24. 

C. Photodegradation Rate Dependence on Polymer Curing Time... 

---