Contact metathesis polymerization (CMP)

Abstract

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) has been used to investigate adhesive and coating formation via a general process called contact metathesis polymerization (CMP). This process involves applying a metathesis catalyst directly to the surface to be modified and initiating the polymerization by exposing this newly formed catalyst-coated surface to a monomer capable of undergoing ROMP, thereby creating an adhesive bond or coating. In this paper, we describe excellent primary adhesion results of bonding low surface energy elastomers to metals and themselves using ROMP as the operative chemistry. The elastomers natural rubber, EPDM, and Santoprene ® are difficult to bond using conventional methods, particularly in their post-vulcanized state. CMP yields rubber-tearing bonds to pre- and post-vulcanized elastomers at room temperature under ambient conditions in air, in the presence of moisture, and with minimal surface preparation using well-defined olefin metathesis catalysts.