Morphology of a polyurethane‐polyacrylate interpenetrating polymer network

Interpenetrating polymer networks of the SIN type (simultaneous interpenetrating networks) composed of a polyacrylate and a polyurethane were prepared. They were made by mixing several concentrations of the linear polymer and prepolymer in solution, together with their respective chain extending and crosslinking agents and catalysts, casting films and curing them in situ. The morphology was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and electron microscopy in order to determine the extent of chain entanglement of the two networks (interpenetration). It was found that little or no phase separation occurred, thus implying extensive interpenetration.