Stabilized Photocurable Thiourethane Composition for Shorter Curing

The patent replaces the thermal curing mechanism (heating) with a photochemical curing mechanism (light irradiation). By incorporating photopolymerization catalysts and using UV or visible light to initiate polymerization, the curing process transitions from thermal to optical energy activation, dramatically reducing curing time from hours to minutes or seconds while maintaining effective crosslinking of the thiourethane resin network.

The patent changes the fundamental curing parameter from temperature (thermal energy) to light wavelength and intensity (photonic energy). By selecting appropriate photopolymerization catalysts that absorb specific wavelengths and adjusting light irradiation parameters, the curing process achieves rapid polymerization without excessive heat generation, solving the time-loss problem while controlling the curing kinetics through optical parameter optimization.

The patent divides the composition into separate components: polymerizable compounds (isocyanate and thiol groups) are stored separately from photopolymerization catalysts and initiators. This segmentation prevents premature polymerization during storage and transport, allowing each component to be handled independently without quality degradation. The components are combined only at the point of use and activated by light irradiation, ensuring both quality control and ease of handling throughout the supply chain.

The patent performs preliminary stabilization by incorporating stabilizers and inhibitors into the composition formulation that prevent spontaneous polymerization during storage. These preliminary protective measures allow the composition to be stored for extended periods without degradation, and the polymerization is activated only when needed through light irradiation, maintaining both quality integrity and operational convenience.

The patent substitutes thermal energy input (heating) with photonic energy input (light irradiation). By using UV or visible light sources to activate photopolymerization catalysts, the curing process consumes significantly less energy compared to conventional heating methods. The light energy directly triggers chemical bond formation without requiring bulk heating of the entire composition, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high curing speed and productivity.

The patent utilizes the phase transition from unreacted monomers/oligomers to crosslinked polymer network through photochemical activation. This phase transition is initiated by light absorption by photopolymerization catalysts, which triggers rapid polymerization without requiring thermal energy input. The transition occurs at ambient or controlled temperatures, eliminating the energy-intensive heating step while achieving complete curing and high productivity.