Two and three component interpenetrating polymer networks

Two and three component interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have been prepared from polyurethanes, epoxy resins, and acrylic copolymers using the simultaneous technique (SIN). These materials exhibited a variety of morphologies and properties dependent on the types of polymer, molecular weight of precursors, presence of charge groups, and presence of intentional grafts between the component polymer networks. In general, decreasing molecular weight of prepolymers, presence of intentional grafts, and presence of charge groups of opposite charge resulted in increased homogeneity (interpenetration). In addition, increased homogeneity resulted in enhanced mechanical properties.