Interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethanes and epoxy resin, I. Mechanical behavior

Abstract

AbstractThe interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) prepared from polyurethane (PU) and a glycidyl ether of phenol formaldehyde (GEPF) were synthesized by using a simultaneous polymerization method. The effects of PU molecular weight and amount on the mechanical property are discussed. For the PU/GEPF IPNs based on polyester‐type PU, as the PU content was increased, the tensile strength and fracture energy decreased, but the impact strength increased significantly. However, for the PU/GEPF IPNs based on polyether‐type PU, the extent of heterogeneity was decreased with decreasing molecular weight of polyether polyol in PU and the tensile strength and fracture energy were enhanced. The impact strength increased to a maximum value and then decreased when the PU content was further increased.