There are many possibilities for future developments in radiation curing. The technology permits extensive control over crosslinking, including reversal of the process of adhesion in some cases. This allows the production of release coatings and provides an easy method of removing expensive components at the end-of-life stage. Its role in medical applications is also rapidly advancing. The prospects for functional and aesthetic coating applications are abundant, particularly with regard to pearlescent coatings, liquid crystals in coatings, and high gloss coatings. Moreover, radiation cured coatings are generally environmentally friendly, further fueling their attractiveness for future applications.

Radiation Curing discusses the principles on which curing technology is based, the equipment that is used, and the materials which make up a radiation curable formulation. Currently, radiation curing is used in coatings, graphic arts, printing inks, packaging, adhesives, optical and optoelectronic applications, composite production, rapid prototyping, nanotechnology, controlled-permeability membranes and hydrogels, and for the vulcanization of natural and synthetic rubber.

Rapra Review Reports contain a brief overview of the topic, followed by extensive references, with abstracts, from the Rapra database. They serve as condensed, valuable research tools for scientists, technologists, and other researchers working with rubber or plastics materials.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The Chemical Processes Used in Radiation Curing

Equipment

General Formulations

Components of Cationically Cured Formulations Other than Photoinitiators

Applications of Radiation Curing

Water-Based Formulations

Water Resistance, Permeability and Hydrogels

Vulcanisation

Radiation Curing in the 21st Century

Additional References

References from the Rapra Abstracts Database

Index