Mechanical Characterization of UV Photopolymerized PMMA with Different Photo-Initiator Concentration

Abstract

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is one among few known photo-polymeric resin useful in lithography for fabricating structures having better mechanical properties to meet the requirement in electronics and biomedical applications. This study explores the effect of Photo Initiator (PI) concentration and also curing time on strength and hardness of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) obtained by UV photopolymerization of Methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer. The UV LED light source operating at the wavelength of 364 nm is used with Benzoin Ethyl Ether (BEE) as photo initiator. The curing of PMMA resin is supported with peltier cooling device placed at the bottom of the UV light source. The characterisation study of UV photo cured PMMA is analysed through nano indenter (Agilent Technologies-G200). The current work investigates the influence of PI concentration and curing time in achieving maximum mechanical properties for UV photopolymerized PMMA.