UV-curable systems based on the copolymerisation of typical acrylic resins
with fluorinated derivatives were prepared and their properties investigate
d. Firstly we used as comonomer, 4,4'-hexafluoroisopropylidendiphenoldihydr
oxyethyletherdiacrylate which gives rise to homogeneous systems when mixed
with the corresponding hydrogenated monomer. By using perfluoropolyetherure
thanemethacrylates, films having interesting properties were obtained. When
copolymerising a low amount of fluorinated acrylates with acrylic resins,
the bulk properties of the films remained unchanged, but a selective modifi
cation of the surface was obtained. A series of acrylic esters of alcohols
having a perfluorinated group -CnF2n+1 were investigated. In all cases, a s
elective enrichment of the fluorinated monomer on the film surface was obse
rved, depending on the monomer structure, its concentration and the type of
substrate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.