A term 'Reaction Curable' is generally used for different types of polymers, including rubbers, adhesives, resins and even for few glasses as well. Could anyone please explain why we call these materials 'reaction curable'? Is chemical reaction always mandatory to prepare these materials? or there is some other reason we call them so?
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Reaction Curable polymers are a class of polymers that can undergo a chemical reaction, usually instigated by a catalyst, light, or heat to change from a liquid or low-viscosity state into a solid, 3-dimensional network structure. This process is known as "curing" or "crosslinking," and it leads to the formation of a highly cross-linked polymer network. This class of polymers necessitates a chemical reaction to attain their final solid state and the respective reaction is referred to as a curing reaction. Reactive groups inside the polymer chains form covalent bonds, making a network that is stiffer and less flexible than the precursor polymer material.
A chemical reaction is always required to achieve the final product.
Whenever a crosslinking reaction takes place, which is also called a curing reaction, covalent bonds are created between different polymer chains, improving the material physico-chemical properties. This class of polymers is called thermosets. These materials cannot be dissolved or melted.
Reaction-curable polymers, often referred to as reactive or crosslinkable polymers, are a class of polymers that undergo a chemical transformation upon exposure to specific external conditions, such as heat, light, or the presence of certain chemicals. This transformation, known as curing or crosslinking, results in the formation of covalent bonds between polymer chains, creating a three-dimensional network structure. This network imparts enhanced mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties to the polymer, making it more durable and robust.
The term "reaction-curable" stems from the fact that these polymers undergo a chemical reaction during the curing process. This reaction involves the formation of covalent bonds between polymer chains, which is often facilitated by the presence of reactive functional groups within the polymer structure. The curing process typically involves the use of external stimuli, such as heat, light, radiation, or the presence of catalysts, which initiate and accelerate the crosslinking reaction.
There are several types of reaction-curable polymers, each with its own specific curing mechanism:
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