The use of UV irradiation in polymerization

Photoinitiation is one of the most efficient methods for achieving quasi‐instantaneous polymerization, transforming a liquid molecule into a solid polymer material within less than 1s. The kinetics of such ultrafast reaction can be advantageously followed by real‐time infrared spectroscopy, a technique which records directly conversion versus time curves and allows evaluation of the important kinetic parameters of cross‐linking polymerization. Photoinitiation has proved to be well suited to inducing frontal polymerization and achieving a deep‐through cure of thick specimens. UV technology is also capable of causing fast polymerization in solid media, despite severe mobility restrictions, because of the high initiation rate provided by intense illumination. This review presents some recent advances in the UV‐curing technology, special emphasis being given to the kinetic aspect of ultrafast polymerization reactions induced by light. © 1998 SCI.