Covalent cross-linking of polymers at room temperature

Thermoplastic materials used in coatings, paints and adhesives as well as structural applications for sensitive substrates, such as wood, paper or polymers, often lack the required chemical and environmental resistance for many applications, which can be overcome by covalent cross-linking. Covalent cross-linking improves chemical and mechanical properties of the material and has been used for many different materials and applications. Room temperature cross-linking can be initiated by different mechanisms and eliminates energy intensive heating as well as conditions potentially harmful for the substrate. The present article focuses on cross-linking strategies applied for different materials, such as thermoplastics and thermosets. It is organized by material class, followed by an overview about triggering mechanisms for cross-linking reactions at room temperature. The authors hope to provide helpful insights about the methods for covalent cross-linking already published.