Synthesis,crosslinking, and abrasion and weathering properties of (meth)acrylate-terminated bisphenol A polycarbonates

(Meth)acrylate terminated bisphenol A polycarbonates [(M)AC PCs] were prepared under interfacial conditions by reaction of (meth)acryloyl chloride with bisphenol A (BA) followed by phosgenation. Addition of (M)ACl to an interfacial mixture of BA containing a catalytic amount of triethylamine followed by phosgenation gave linear polymers with good control of molecular weight. Thermal crosslinking of MAC PCs was generally achieved only in the presence of dicumyl peroxide. Between 75 and 98% gel was obtained by using 2 wt % initiator and heating for 30 min each at 150 and 200°C. All of the AC PCs crosslinked without added initiator to form 92–100% gel by heating for 30 min at 250°C. Coatings of high crosslink density (M)AC PCs on linear BA PC plaques were prepared by a combination of solvent casting, compression molding, and (optionally) oven curing. Moderate to high crosslink density (M)AC PC coatings showed relatively high pencil hardness values and good abrasion resistance. In weathering studies, both MAC and AC PC-coated plaques showed low YI increases, but the MAC PC coating developed higher haze due to microcracking. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 663–675, 1999