Frontal polymerization is a method that involves a localized reaction zone of polymerization that propagates through an unstirred system. There are three types of frontal polymerization, but for the purposes of this study thermal free-radical frontal polymerization (TFP) is investigated. In TFP heat is applied to a very small portion of a system containing a thermal initiator, which initiates local polymerization of monomers. This releases heat and allows the reaction to propagate. It has been established that the velocity of a propagating front is dependent on front temperature, activation energy, and thermal diffusivity <sup>[1]</sup>. In this study we investigate the effects of different inert fillers on front temperature and velocity. In hopes to lower the front temperature, a number of fillers including fumed silica, kaolin clay, graphite, and boron nitride (BN) were used to form the composites. Graphite and BN were of particular interest due to their thermal properties. Compared to Kaolin clay their heat capacity is lower which in theory should lower the front temperature and thus the front velocity. Using a peroxide initiator and trifunctional acrylate monomers, composites containing various weight percentage of graphite or BN relative to Kaolin were prepared. In order to track front movement videos of the front propagation were used to calculate the front velocity, and a thermocouple was used to measure front temperatures.

Effects of inert fillers on frontal polymerization temperature and velocity in acrylate composites

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.