Properties of polymeric films obtained from u.v. cured poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylates

The properties of u.v. cured poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylates (PEGDA) having MWs in the range 200–2000 and acrylic functionality near to two were evaluated. First, the properties of pure PEGDA oligomers, subjected to u.v. curing, were considered. Then, mixtures of different PEGDA oligomers with a typical epoxy acrylate resin were prepared and investigated. The double-bond conversion during the curing process was determined by FTi.r. analysis. D.s.c., t.m.a. and d.m.t.a. were used to evaluate the thermal and dynamic-mechanical behaviour of the networks obtained. As far as the pure PEGDA oligomers are concerned, the final double-bond conversion was always found to be complete, with the exception of the lowest MW oligomers. By using oligomers having MWs up to 1000, after the u.v. curing process, films having a completely amorphous structure were obtained. Oligomers having MWs higher than 1000 show, after curing, a partial PEG crystallinity. The Tg values of amorphous films were found to decrease by increasing the MW of the oligomer, i.e. by decreasing the crosslinking density of the network. Good agreement with the Nielsen equation was observed. The equilibrium swelling values in water were found to increase by increasing the oligomer MW. The investigation of mixtures of PEGDA oligomers with a typical epoxy acrylate resin confirms the above reported results as far as the double-bond conversion, the thermal and the dynamic-mechanical behaviour are concerned. By changing the oligomer MW it is possible to change the properties of the u.v. cured films over a broad range.