Patent ID: 7943680
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: C08F,C08L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for inducing reversible chain cleavage of polymer chains in a crosslinked polymeric material, the method comprising the steps of a) providing a polymeric material comprising a crosslinked network of polymer chains and a source of free radicals or cations, wherein a plurality of the polymer chains incorporate a reversible chain cleavage group; b) activating the source of free radicals or cations in the polymeric material of step a) to produce free radicals or cations; c) activating a plurality of reversible chain cleavage groups by reacting the reversible chain cleavage groups in the polymeric material of step a) with the free radicals or cations of step b) to produce reversible chain cleavage of a plurality of the polymer chains incorporating a reversible chain cleavage group; d) recombining cleaved polymer chains from step c).