| abstract |
A radiation-curable composition in a liquid or solid form comprises at least one solid, non-crystalline radiation-transmissible material, dispersed in at least one cationic-curable or free-radical curable composition or mixture thereof. The solid, non-crystalline radiation-transmissible materials comprise glasses and other suitable materials that transmit (i.e, are transparent to) at least about 40% of radiation having a wavelength from about 180 to about 600 nanometers. The cationic-curable compositions comprise at least one cycloaliphatic epoxide, at least one polyol, and at least one cation-generating photoinitiator. The free-radical curable compositions comprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound and at least one free-radical-generating photoinitiator unless electron beam curing is used, in which case the amount of photoinitiator can be reduced or even eliminated. The solid forms of the radiation-curable compositions of the invention are useful as powder coatings for coating decorative and functional objects and that would be cured by a thermal heating flow process followed by radiation exposure. The cured compositions of the invention are useful as coatings and inks for metal, paper, plastics, glass, ceramics, and wood, as adhesives, as sealants, and as composite materials and other articles. The cured compositions of this invention also are useful in biomedical and dental applications, including prosthetic devices such as dentures; coatings, fillings, and caps for teeth; and the like. |