The Role of Oxygen in Photopolymerization.

Photopolymerization of a vinyl monomer in a polymeric binder is utilized commercially to produce DYCRILn photopolymer printing plates. Molecular oxygen acts as a free radical trap which can prevent or limit the extent of photopolymerization. Many aspects of relief image structure are explainable in terms of the action of external and internal oxygen during exposure. A practical platemaking system has been developed and is based on an understanding of the effect of oxygen. Registered trademark of E. I. duPont de Nemours & Company.