Thermal frontal polymerization is a process in which a localized reaction zone propagates through an unstirred system by the coupling of thermal conduction and the Arrhenius kinetics of an exothermic polymerization. Frontal polymerization allows “cure-on demand” of a system with a long pot life once a localized reaction is initiated. One area where the cure-on-demand nature of frontally polymerizable systems could prove very useful is orthopedic repairs. One potential drawback typically associated with thermal frontal polymerization is a large exotherm leading to high front temperatures, often above 200 °C. By modulating the concentration of functional groups using mixtures of commercially-available high and low molecular weight multifunctional acrylate and thiol-containing monomers, front temperatures in the range of 80-100 °C have been achieved. The addition of relatively inexpensive ceramic and silica-based fillers yields a mechanically robust biocompatible material that has a putty-like consistency with a long pot life.

Low-temperature frontal polymerization of acrylate-based composites for use in bone repair

255th National Meeting (2018)

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