Synthesis and characterization of three-component thermosetting acrylic polymer light conduits

In this study, new thermosetting acrylic polymer light conduits (PLCs) with the composition of A^sub x^B^sub y^C^sub z^ were prepared and characterized. The A and B components were methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, respectively. Tri-funcational acrylic monomers were used for the C component. The thermal properties and optical properties of the prepared PLCs are presented and compared with a commercially available PLC, S1. The prepared PLCs also have high numerical apertures and large diameters for illumination applications. The peak intensity and position can be tuned from their molecular structures. The peak position in the optical loss spectrum is in a satisfactory agreement with the theoretical calculation from the FTIR spectra, which results from the high harmonics of the C-H stretching vibration band. The peak intensity of the optical loss spectrum is proportional to the C-H bond density of the polymer core. The prepared PLCs have better thermal stability than S1.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]