Network structure/mechanical property relationship in multimethacrylates—Derivatives of nadic anhydride

In this article the syntheses of dimethacrylate and trimethacrylate esters as well as the mechanical and thermal properties of their copolymers with methyl methacrylate and styrene are investigated. The esters were obtained from acidic derivatives of nadic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate. The addition reaction of glycidyl methacrylate and the acidic compound was carried out in the presence of basic catalyst—tetraethylammonium bromide. The monomers and resins were UV cured in the presence of a suitable photoinitiator which was 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyloacetophenone. The prepared polymers were subjected to different studies concerning evaluation of their mechanical properties, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical behavior (DMA) as well as the estimation of the content of unreacted double bonds in the final product. The results proved their good thermal and mechanical properties. The degree of unsaturated bonds conversion was found to be growing with the amount of monovinyl monomer in the copolymer. Trimethacrylate-based copolymers are characterized by a greater content of double bonds present in the obtained material compared to that of dimethacrylate-based copolymers. As indicated by DMA the network structures of the copolymers seem to be more heterogeneous with the increasing weight fraction of trimethacrylate as well as dimethacrylate monomer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008