Radiation Curing

Abstract

Abstract The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with organic substrates is of widespread interest and has broad commercial applications. The use of electromagnetic radiation to alter the physical and chemical nature of a material is sometimes termed radiation curing technology. In radiation curing, electromagnetic radiation interacts with organic substrates to develop cross‐linked or solvent‐insoluble network structures. For example, a preformed thermoplastic polymer that interacts directly with certain types of ionizing (high energy) radiation from a given source of energy can develop into cross‐linked or network structures having higher melting points, improved heat resistance, and better chemical resistance than the original thermoplastic polymer starting materials. Similar types of high energy radiation can be used to cross‐link (cure) organic coatings, provided that the liquid coating composition contains reactive vinyl‐unsaturated components such as allyl, acrylate, methacrylate, styrene, and fumarate reactive groups. Radiation curing technology involves consideration of at least four main variables: type of radiation source; organic substrate to be irradiated; kinetics and mechanisms of radiation energy–organic substrate interactions; and the final chemical, physical, and mechanical properties associated with the formation of three‐dimensional (cured) network structures. The conversion of electrical energy into infrared, ultraviolet, and high energy electromagnetic radiation has gained worldwide acceptance as an efficient and economical method for modifying polymeric materials. These radiation‐modified polymer systems are associated with many different types of products produced under a wide diversity of manufacturing operations.