Polymerisation curing

Gipstein, E., Prime, R. B., and Allen, R., The effect of pressure on the polymerisation cure of acrylate methacrylate copolymers, NATAS, Paper 113 (1991). 

Since two photons are required to initiate the polymerisation, curing will only take place in the focal point of the laser [i.e. where the concentration of photons is the highest]. The microscope objective used to focus the laser beam can be moved relative to the sample. After removal of the uncured material, complex three-dimensional structures can be achieved via direct laser writing [127, 149]. Interestingly, biodegradable polyester oligomers have... 

Reaction process Adsorption Catalytic reactions Crystallisation Polymerisation Curing Desorption Melting Vapourisation Sublimation Desolvation (drying) Solid-solid transition Solid-liquid reaction Solid-gas reaction Solid-solid reaction Decomposition... 

Engineering acrylic adhesives are two-part systems which, when mixed or activated, polymerise (cure) to form an impact-resistant plastic layer which is well adhered to the surfaces of the adherends. The activator for the curing process may be a chemical (either mixed with the adhesive or applied to the adherend surfaces prior to the adhesive), or, for some varieties, UV or electron-beam radiation. The toughened or modified engineering adhesives have been widely used since the 1980 s in vehicle construction, wood to metal bonding, aerospace applications, panels and computer equipment. 

The polymers of the 2-cyanoacryhc esters, more commonly known as the alkyl 2-cyaiioacrylates, are hard glassy resins that exhibit excellent adhesion to a wide variety of materials. The polymers are spontaneously formed when their Hquid precursors or monomers are placed between two closely fitting surfaces. The spontaneous polymerisation of these very reactive Hquids and the excellent adhesion properties of the cured resins combine to make these compounds a unique class of single-component, ambient-temperature-curing adhesives of great versatiUty. The materials that can be bonded mn the gamut from metals, plastics, most elastomers, fabrics, and woods to many ceramics. 

As the length and frequency of branches increase, they may ultimately reach from chain to chain. If all the chains are coimected together, a cross-linked or network polymer is formed. Cross-links may be built in during the polymerisation reaction by incorporation of sufficient tri- or higher functional monomers, or may be created chemically or by radiation between previously formed linear or branched molecules (curing or vulcanisation). Eor example, a Hquid epoxy (Table 1) oligomer (low molecular weight polymer) with a 6-8 is cured to a cross-linked soHd by reaction of the hydroxyl and... 

Films from prepolymer solutions can be cured by heating at 150°C. Heating the prepolymer in molds gives clear, insoluble moldings (38). The bulk polymerisation of DAP at 80°C has been studied (35). In conversions to ca 25% soluble prepolymer, rates were nearly linear with time and concentrations of bensoyl peroxide. A higher initiator concentration is required than in typical vinyl-type polymerisations. 

Chemical Properties. MSA combines high acid strength with low molecular weight. Its pK (laser Raman spectroscopy) is —1.9, about twice the acid strength of HCl and half the strength of sulfuric acid. MSA finds use as catalyst for esterification, alkylation, and in the polymerisation and curing of coatings (402,404,405). The anhydrous acid is also usefijl as a solvent. 

Vmulsifier Type. The manufacturers of NBR use a variety of emulsifiers (most commonly anionic) for the emulsion polymerisation of nitrile mbber. When the latex is coagulated and dried, some of the emulsifier and coagulant remains with the mbber and affects the properties attained with the mbber compound. Water resistance is one property ia particular that is dependent on the type and amount of residual emulsifier. Residual emulsifer also affects the cure properties and mold fouling characteristics of the mbber. 

The close structural similarities between polychloroprene and the natural rubber molecule will be noted. However, whilst the methyl group activates the double bond in the polyisoprene molecule the chlorine atom has the opposite effect in polychloroprene. Thus the polymer is less liable to oxygen and ozone attack. At the same time the a-methylene groups are also deactivated so that accelerated sulphur vulcanisation is not a feasible proposition and alternative curing systems, often involving the pendant vinyl groups arising from 1,2-polymerisation modes, are necessary. 

The reluctance of acrylic monomers to polymerise in the presence of air has been made a virtue with the anaerobic acrylic adhesives. These are usually dimethacrylates such as tetramethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The monomers are supplied with a curing system comprising a peroxide and an amine as part of a one-part pack. When the adhesive is placed between mild steel surfaces air is excluded, which prevents air inhibition, and the iron present acts as a polymerisation promoter. The effectiveness as a promoter varies from one metal to another and it may be necessary to use a primer such as cobalt naphthenate. The anaerobic adhesives have been widely used for sealing nuts and bolts and for a variety of engineering purposes. Small tube containers are also available for domestic use. 

If the bismaleimide-amine reaction is carried out with a deficiency of amine the polymer will have terminal double bonds which allows a cure site to give a thermosetting polymer via a double bond polymerisation mechanism. This approach was developed by Ciba-Geigy with their product P13N (Figure 18.42). 

More frequently either methyl ethyl ketone peroxide or cyclohexanone peroxide is used for room temperature curing in conjunction with a cobalt compound such as a naphthenate, octoate or other organic solvent-soluble soap. The peroxides (strictly speaking polymerisation initiators) are referred to as catalysts and the cobalt compound as an accelerator . Other curing systems have been devised but are seldom used. 

Such reactions allow chain extension and/or cross-linking to occur without the elimination of small molecules such as water, i.e. they react by a rearrangement polymerisation type of reaction. In consequence these materials exhibit a lower curing shrinkage than many other types of thermosetting plastics. 

Nowadays, the injection moulder can be supplied with uniform quality granules which consist of partially polymerised resin, fillers and additives. The formulation of the material is such that it will flow easily in the barrel with a slow rate of polymerisation. The curing is then completed rapidly in the mould. 

Unsaturated polyester finishes of this type do not need to be stoved to effect crosslinking, but will cure at room temperature once a suitable peroxide initiator cobalt salt activator are added. The system then has a finite pot life and needs to be applied soon after mixing. Such a system is an example of a two-pack system. That is the finish is supplied in two packages to be mixed shortly before use, with obvious limitations. However, polymerisation can also be induced by ultra violet radiation or electron beam exposure when polymerisation occurs almost instantaneously. These techniques are used widely in packaging, particularly cans, for which many other unsaturated polymers, such as unsaturated acrylic resins have been devised. 

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