PLANEJAMENTO FATORIAL: UMA FERRAMENTA ESTATÍSTICA VALIOSA PARA A DEFINIÇÃO DE PARÂMETROS EXPERIMENTAIS EMPREGADOS NA PESQUISA CIENTÍFICA.

This paper describes both the value and the role of multivariated methods of experimental procedure in scientific research. It is highlighted the advantages of factorial design systems which let simulate simultaneously several variables concerned a studied system, reducing the number of experiments of the research. The impact of these variables on the photopolymerization system is discussed upon the photocure of oligo(methyl methacrylate) (MMA), commercially called Berkel glue B 20, initiated by an UV light source. As feedback of the system it was measured the quantity of oligomer converted to polymer (in weight), finding the polymerization rate (in percent). Aspects related to the experimental design and the interpretations of results are also presented. KEY-WORDS: Factorial design; multivariate analysis; photopolymerization; methyl methacrylate (MMA).