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Properties of radiation cured vinyl-divinyl copolymers. [Gamma rays]

Journal Article · · J. Radiat. Curing; (United States)
OSTI ID:5345281
Analysis of compression stress-strain curves of radiation-cured vinyl methacrylate copolymers shows that addition of small concentrations of vinyl comonomers significantly alter all mechanical strength properties in compression. Stress-strain behavior is found to be a function of the copolymer composition. Best strength results are limited to a narrow comonomer concentration region; between 5 to 10% of divinyl monomer (DVM) for the four systems studied. This concentration range broadens with increasing molecular bridge length of the crosslinking agent being narrowest for ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate and broadest for tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Copolymer connection number (CN/sub co/), as introduced earlier, is found to be useful structural parameter for crosslinked copolymers in that it correlates quantitatively mechanical or thermomechanical properties with crosslink densities within copolymers. The Methyl methacrylate-TEGDMA comonomer system was found to be the most suitable and economically attractive. It represents a well balanced compromise of improved polymerization parameters and copolymer properties desirable in many polymeric products. 9 figures, 2 tables.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Edmonton, Alberta
OSTI ID:
5345281
Journal Information:
J. Radiat. Curing; (United States), Journal Name: J. Radiat. Curing; (United States) Vol. 7:2; ISSN JRDCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English