Glass transitions of topologically interpenetrating polymer networks

Two component topologically‐interpenetrating polymer networks were made of the SIN type (simultaneous interpenetrating network) composed of two polyurethanes (a polyether‐based and a polyester‐based) in combination with an epoxy resin, a polyacrylate and two unsaturated polyesters. The linear polymers and/or prepolymers were combined in solution and in bulk together with the necessary crosslinking agents and catalysts. Films were cast and chains extended and crosslinked in situ. All of the IPN's exhibited one glass transition (Tg) intermediate in temperature to the Tg's of the component networks, and as sharp as the Tg's of the components. This suggests that phase separation may not occur and thus some chain entanglement (interpenetration) of the two networks is involved. The observed Tg's are always several degrees lower than the arithmetic means of the component Tg's. A theory based on interpenetration is developed to account for this.