Switching Frontal Polymerization Mechanisms: FROMP and FRaP

Two frontal polymerization (FP) mechanisms, frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) of dicyclopentadiene and frontal radical polymerization (FRaP) of benzyl acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate, were combined for rapid manufacturing of welded thermoset materials. Leveraging the immiscibility of the two different FP resins, welded thermosets and gradient foams of varying composition were achieved by switching of FP mechanisms. The adhesion strength of the welded thermoset materials differed depending on the originating mechanism. Finally, welded thermoset foams of varying porosity and homogeneity were generated through initiation from the bottom of the two resins.