UV–Electron Beam

Methacrylate and Acrylate functional silicones undergo the same radical induce polymerization reactions generally associated with methacrylates and acrylates.  The acrylate functional siloxanes cure at a rate ten times faster than their metharcylate counterparts on exposure to UV/EB in the presence of a photoiniator.  The high permeability of siloxanes to oxygen often makes it necessary to blanket the materials with nitrogen due to the fact that oxygen inhibits the methacrylate polymerizations.  Metal-organics containing acrylate/methacrylate functionality can also be copolymerized with their organic counterparts.  The principal function of all these materials is as modifiers to organic systems.

Epoxycyclohexyl functional siloxanes can also be polymerized on UV/EB exposure in the presence of weak acid donors.  Examples of these catalysts offered by Gelest can be seen below.

Gelest, Inc., also offers a series of silicon dioxide precursors that can be cured converted on exposure to deep UV (<240nm).  These materials can be used for dielectric coatings, overcoats for glass and as diffusion barriers.

Mercapto functional siloxanes can be used to crosslink vinylsiloxanes undergoing radical initiated addition to the unsaturated groups.

Applicable Gelest Brochures:
Reactive Silicones
Silane Coupling Agents