Hi,

I am looking to see if I fully understand cationic epoxy cure and shrinkage. I have a highly filled cationic epoxy adhesive designed to achieve minimal shrinkage upon cure with UV light. My question is:

Would the conditions in which I UV cure this system have an effect on the shrinkage?

I feel curing this material with a high intensity blast of UV light will trigger the polymerization to start at the same time and achieve a greater degree of cure, minimizing shrinkage. As opposed to a lower intensity blast that may not trigger all the initiators at the same time resulting in trapped species, less complete cure, free-volume issues. Is this thought process correct?

I know epoxies have low shrinkage due to the ring opening polymerization and the filler further hinders shrinkage, but I guess my ultimate question is:

Does the UV curing time and intensity impact the shrinkage of the material?

Thanks so much!

Mike