Semi-and full ionomer interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane

Abstract EN

Ionomer interpenetrating polymer networks (IIPN's) of polyurethane (PU) and a random copolymers of methylmethacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid (AA) have been prepared by simultaneous polymerization.

The polyurethane network was cross-linked with triethanol amine and the poly(MMA-AA) network with trimethy-lolpropane trimethacrylate.

PU-poly(MMA-AA) semi-IIPN's (s-IIPN’s), in which only one of the component polymere was cross-linked, were prepared for selected composition.

The physical and mechanical properties of IIPN’s and s-IIPN's are detailed in this paper.

Stress-strain and hardness characterization revealed that the IIPN’s and s-IIPN's exhibited greater tensile strenght and hardness than the PU components.

Dynamic mechanical analysis showed extensive molecular mixing of the two polymers.

The glass transition temperatures of the materials gradually increased as the poly (MMA-AA) and acrylic acid contents were increased.

The attractive forccs that occtired among the various networks helped to compatibilize them and aided in the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks.