Formulation/property relationships in radiation-cured poly(urethane methacrylate) pressure-sensitive adhesives. II. Variation of the chain terminatorcomponent

The synthesis of a series of radiation-curable poly(urethane methacrylate) oligomers are reported, which, on exposure to electron-beam irradiation, re sult in adhesive films with pressure-sensitive properties. Variation of the chain terminator component of the formulation and the effect of this on ad hesive properties were investigated. Adhesive systems utilizing Dowfax 9N6 nonylphenolethoxylate, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, 2-hydroxyethyl s alicylate, or 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine as alternative chain terminators performed in a manner that may make them suitable for medical applications . Terminators with higher ethoxylation levels (Brij 35, 58) conferred high hydrophilicity on the resulting adhesives. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.