Thermotropic systems with fixed domains (TSFD) consist of an additive dispersed in the matrix of a UV curable resin. The additive is serving as scattering domain, and causes the TSFD to change its light scattering properties upon reaching a certain threshold temperature (i.e. the melting temperature of the additive) reversibly. Within this study the effect of matrix material and additive type as well as of processing conditions on the light shielding efficiency of TSFD is investigated. Numerous TSFD were prepared based on two UV curable acrylate resins serving as matrix materials. As additivs various polar and non polar additivs with differing chemical structure, morphology and switching temperature were selected. The polymer physical analysis included the characterization of thermal properties of the additivs and the TSFD applying Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) as well as investigations concerning additive distribution within the layer using Infrared Specroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflectance Mode (ATR spectroscopy). Solar transmittance spectra of the TSFD were recorded as a function of temperature on a UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer. For TSFD formulated with polar additive types no significant change in solar transmittance with increasing temperature was observable. It was shown that the polar additive is dissolved within the resin without formation of scattering domains. TSFD formulated with the non-polar additive types exhibited a hemispheric solar transmittance between 49 and 69 % below the switching temperature. Above the switching threshold that varied between 50 and 70 °C depending on the additive type used, the hemispheric solar transmittance increased to values between 54 and 75 %. The light scattering efficiency of the TSFD below and above the switching threshold was shown to be affected by the matrix material and the molecular weight of the additive type used. Furthermore a significant effect of the temperature conditions during the sample preparation process (UV curing) on the light scattering properties of the TSFD was detected. After the switching process additive enrichment on the sample surface was observable. The comparison of the switching characteristics of the TSFD with thermal transitions of the Additivs revealed an excellent correlation.