Chain transfer reagents for molecular weight control in radical photo-polymerization

Radiation curing of (meth)acrylate-based photopolymerizable formulations is a widely used technique for decorative and protective coatings industry. Furthermore it is nowadays used for modern applications such as dental filling materials [1], reprography (photoresists, printing plates, integrated circuits), laser induced 3D curing, holographic recordings and nanoscale micromechanics.

Many bulk polymerized materials suffer from a typical problem, namely that the quick polymerization of the resin leads to fast shrinking which can cause internal stress inside the material.