Development of a polymeric system for the transmission of light

• Grant number: 00/12854-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: July 01, 2001
• End date: December 31, 2001
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Jose Miraglia
• Grantee: Jose Miraglia
• Company: Light Tech Iluminação Ltda
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

Polymeric systems for the transmission of light, offer several advantages compared to glass optical fibers. Attempts to use the latter for general or specialized lighting have been quite difficult, because these fibers are expensive, fragile, heavy, have a small diameter and do not transmit a large amount of light under normal conditions. It is clear therefore, that there is a need to find a cheaper, more flexible, longer- lasting light source for lighting. And concomitantly, to create polymeric fiber optics resistant to ageing, even when exposed to heat of up to 350°C at the point exposed to the light and up to 250ºC in the rest of the length; which offers characteristics such as good environmental resistance and good light transmission property; does not go out of shape with age, does not melt, oxidize or deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures, remaining flexible; and which, besides this, is relatively easy and cheap to produce. It is intended to apply the technique of radiation-induced polymerization to the system composed of methyl methacrylate monomer base, mixed with other components to lower the Tg and increase the flexibility with the aim of: 1) achieving fine control over the reaction, since radiation polymerization permits greater control of the process, given that the energy can be delivered directly to the reactive mass without problems of heat transmission; it is possible to initiate the reaction at any temperature, which allows for control of every stage, from beginning to end; and 2) the absence of color, since radiation dispenses with the use of radicalar indicators. Radiation makes it possible to attain higher conversions than in any other process, eliminating the presence of monomers that might post-polymerize. (AU)