Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.82, No.12, 3001-3012, 2001
Development of formulations based on acrylate monomers for optical cable applications
Methyl methacrylate and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate were copolymerized in the presence of different crosslinkers with free-radical initiation. The double-bond conversion was monitored with in situ Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopic techniques. Dynamic mechanical properties of the resultant polymers were measured, and the curves were interpreted on the basis of the heterogeneity and flexibility of the samples. The optical properties of the cables made out of these systems were measured with transmission spectra. The effect of the addition of additives on the optical properties was demonstrated.
Keywords:acrylate;radical polymerization;optical cables;FTIR;dynamic mechanical analysis;copolymerization