photopolymer
A photopolymer or light-activated resin is a polymer that changes its properties when exposed to light, often in the ultraviolet or visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These changes are often manifested structurally, for example hardening of the material occurs as a result of cross-linking when exposed to light. An example is shown below depicting a mixture of monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators that conform into a hardened polymeric material through a process called curing.
Article
22 sectionsContents
- Ionic mechanism
- Cationic photoinitiators
- Onium salts
- Organometallic
- Pyridinium salts
- Free radical mechanism
- Free-radical photoinitiators
- Oligomers and monomers
- Reversible Crosslinking in Photopolymers
- Applications
- Dentistry
- Medical uses
- 3D printing
- Photoresists
- Negative resists
- Positive resists
- Fine printing
- Repairing leaks
- Fishing
- Floor refinishing
- Environment Pollution
- References
A photopolymer or light-activated resin is a polymer that changes its properties when exposed to light, often in the ultraviolet or visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These changes are often manifested structurally, for example hardening of the material occurs as a result of cross-linking when exposed to light. An example is shown below depicting a mixture of monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators that conform into a hardened polymeric material through a process called curing.
A wide variety of technologically useful applications rely on photopolymers; for example, some enamels and varnishes depend on photopolymer formulation for proper hardening upon exposure to light. In some instances, an enamel can cure in a fraction of a second when exposed to light, as opposed to thermally cured enamels which can require half an hour or longer. Curable materials are widely used for medical, printing, and photoresist technologies.