Crosslinking systems

I had always despaired of finding any useful calculations to do with crosslinking systems as their complex nature seemed to make calculations impossible. But it turns out that, little known to many of us, there are some excellent theories (sadly under-utilized) which provide many insights into what is going on inside a crosslinked matrix.

We find that:

• The powerful, and sadly under-utilized, Miller and Macosko theory shows how multi-functional groups react. Rather few researchers have been able to translate M &l M's 1970's papers into real calculations. Most are on condensation polymers.
• But the theory also applies to UV polymerizations.
• The Monte Carlo method for following a UV curing reaction gives a good idea of the polymerization.
• And the Tg of the curing systems can be modelled surprisingly well.