- Provides three scientific foundation chapters covering the fundamentals of polymer chemistry and the chemistry and physics of photopolymerization
- Presents photopolymerization as a specific application of polymer chemistry
- Covers ultraviolet/electron beam (UV/EB) polymerizable materials and product formulation, equipment used in the industry, environmental and safety considerations, and selected application areas
- Includes concept questions throughout to reinforce ideas, provide further discussion, and actively engage the reader in the learning process
- Well-illustrated with selected figures in color
This book introduces the theory of light-induced polymerization utilizing UV, visible light, and EB energy sources, along with a brief overview of how the process works and a summary of key advantages and perceived disadvantages to the technology. The reader is introduced to a detailed discussion of the properties of polymeric materials and the key processes for synthesizing them. Photochemistry and photophysics are then discussed. The volume explains how the underlying chemical reactions relate to the ultimate polymer properties produced by different types of polymerization processes and an in-depth consideration of the raw materials and equipment required for efficient UV and EB curing is presented. Special attention is given to the principles of formulating with a focus on achieving desired properties in the cured photopolymer system. The safety and handling of the materials used and curing process are reviewed. The overall market and applications are covered with additional discussion on selected applications in the industrial and graphic arts markets.
Ali Javadi, Ph.D., Evonik Corporation – :
Polymeric materials show a wide range of fascinating properties which can be traceable to their molecular chemistry and physics. In recent years, advancements in photopolymerization have led to innovative achievements in different areas such as medicine, electronics, coatings, printings, and adhesives. This is a highly interdisciplinary endeavor that is based on essential fields such as chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
The central goal of this book “Photopolymerization: Fundamental Polymer Chemistry & Industrial Applications” is to present a practical understanding of photopolymerization processes from the molecular level to industrial applications. In this book, Dr. Byron K. Christmas and Dr. Michael J. Idacavage have created a comprehensive collection of their knowledge and experience gained from decades of working in academia and industry. The authors developed the fundamental principles, rather than an encyclopedic knowledge of some particular photopolymerization concepts.
This book approaches photopolymerization from both theoretical and practical viewpoints. Chapters 1 and 2 describe the fundamentals of polymer chemistry, factors affecting polymer properties, and different polymerization processes. Chapter 3 emphasizes the basic chemistry and physics of photopolymerization including visible and ultraviolet (UV) light photoinitiation processes. Chapters 4 through 6 focus on important topics such as the raw materials used for photopolymerization, formulation methods, applications, testing techniques, and energy-generating sources. Chapter 7 gives an overview of the electron beam (EB) curing methods, equipment, and characteristics. In Chapter 8, the authors provide a detailed review of safety aspects related to photopolymerization processes. Chapter 9 gives a summary of the overall applications and market of energy-curable coatings. A list of references can be found at the end of each chapter.
Written by well-established scientists in the field, this book provides an articulate and well-rounded overview of photopolymerization. Chemists, chemical engineers, and materials scientists, especially those new to the industry, will receive help from this essential book by learning fundamental principles and practical applications. This is a book worth adding to your library.
Ali Javadi, Ph.D.
Evonik Corporation
Pennsylvania, USA
Parag K. Shah, PhD, Azul 3D – :
“Photopolymerization – Fundamental Polymer Chemistry and Industrial Applications”, by Dr. Byron Christmas and Dr. Mike Idacavage is a book that was meant to be written. It covers the breadth and width of photopolymerization technology as it applies to industrial applications. The combined extensive academic and industrial experience of Byron and Mike is evident in the wealth of knowledge incorporated in each chapter as the book starts with describing the basics of polymers, photochemistry and its application to energy curing applications followed by a comprehensive discussion on developing formulations and ends with description of past and current equipment used in the photopolymerization industry. This is a book that has something in it for everyone – from students who want to enter the UV/EB industry, to those who have entered and are trying to find their feet in the industry and finally serve as a ready reference for industry veterans. It achieves the fantastic feat of covering a broad variety of topics while avoiding the pitfalls of being too overwhelming to understand.
The book begins with a chapter on polymer chemistry and right off the bat it feels as if one is sitting in a class and a professor is actively engaging you in a conversation. It does not feel like a one-way monologue and this trend is continued throughout the book, keeping the content interesting. One of the attractive aspects is the introduction of “concept questions”, where thought provoking questions are asked in the middle of a chapter, requiring the reader to apply the material being discussed and come up with explanations. Hints are given at the end of the chapters that point towards the correct explanation of the question. Interestingly, many of these concept questions are natural questions that arise in a reader’s mind upon reading the corresponding topic, but which books do not always address.
The chapter on chemistry and physics of photopolymerization covers the basics of photophysics and photoinitiators in sufficient depth without being too vast and is perfect for a novice entering the industry to understand UV chemistry basics. References provided at the end of the chapters encourage the reader to delve deeper into a topic if they wish to do so.
Personally, coming from an academic research background in photopolymerization and being new to the industrial environment, chapters 4 and 5 are by far the most important as a learning guide to developing new energy curable formulations for the industry. Basics of formulations are discussed from multiple points of views – development and sourcing of raw materials that go into making monomers and oligomers for each chemistry type, properties achieved by using different oligomer chemistries and a cost benefit analysis that discusses the cost of raw materials versus the properties achieved by using them. This imparts valuable and practical advice that a budding formulator needs to make judgements on using the best materials for a particular application while keeping the costs down. As with life, there are pros and cons to the chemistries and the discussion presents an unbiased landscape from which a formulator can make judicious choices. The information provided is very comprehensive and explained in an easy manner. The consideration given to the cost of materials and the formulation process as we scale up from lab to industry scale production is a constant theme in these chapters and rightly so, as at the end of the day, a product needs to be good and at the same time commercially viable. Both free radical and cationic curing technologies have been discussed. Most of the discussion is from the coatings perspective but the same fundamental principles can be applied to other applications such as 3D printing, adhesives and flexographic printing, among many others.
An often overlooked and understated aspect of industrial UV/EB curing is safety and handling, and chapter 8 is dedicated to this aspect. Using UV/EB curing presents additional challenges for safety due to the use of toxic chemicals as well as UV radiation. The damage that UV radiation can do to skin and eyes is well documented and additional care must be taken when working with equipment that handles UV and EB curing. Potential hazards and ways to avoid them have been discussed in detail.
Overall, this book provides valuable insights into photopolymerization technology including introduction to the basic chemistry of materials and UV/EB curing technology and can act as a ready reference for the new as well as advanced formulator. The style of writing in the book is conversational and that makes for an easy read and does not overwhelm the reader. I strongly recommend this book to people considering joining the UV/EB industry as well those already in it.
Parag K. Shah, PhD
Senior Chemist
Azul 3D
Illinois, USA