UV exposure and temperature effects on curing mechanisms in thin linseed oil films: Spectroscopic and chromatographic studies

The influence of thermal and photochemical treatment in the curing mechanisms of thin linseed oil films is studied. The role of copper acetate pigments is also investigated under the above conditions. UV and FTIR absorption spectroscopy and chromatographic product analysis are used as the main analytical techniques, which allowed the identification of significant changes in the curing mechanism in each case. Yellowing, crosslinking, and fragmentation inside the film material proceed to a different extent according to the conditions. Peroxide destruction is induced by UV exposure at early curing stages and affects the course of the yellowing process. Yellow product formation is also favored by curing at elevated temperatures, which is accompanied in this case by decreased crosslinking in the cured film. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 936–949, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10117