Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.78, No.13, 2398-2404, 2000
Preparation of functionally gradient materials via frontal polymerization
Ascending frontal polymerization in a body with a moving boundary was accomplished experimentally. This process was shown to be a steady-state process within a certain range of the parameters. Temperature profiles of the front were recorded. This new method gives an excellent opportunity to prepare functionally gradient materials because composition of a monomer feedstream can be varied in a programmable manner. Polymer samples with hyperbolic gradients of optical dye concentration were manufactured at ambient pressure and temperature.
Keywords:frontal polymerization;functionally gradient material (FGM);optical limiter;temperature profile;polyacrylate