Thick, composite parts made from photopolymerizable compositions and methods for making such parts

摘要

A novel method for producing thick composite parts based upon photopolymerizable compositions is disclosed. The constituents of the photopolymerizable mixture comprise a monomer or monomers capable of polymerizing by free radical or cationic mechanisms, and a photoinitiator system which possesses an absorbance characteristic which is effectively reduced, or self-eliminating, upon initiation of the polymerization reaction. Parts having thicknesses up to 2 cm and thicker for varying end use applications are made by photopolymerizing such compositions. In addition, using such compositions composite parts can be made using a reinforcement material such as a glass fiber mat present in an amount by weight of from about 5 to about 70%.