Sequential interpenetrating polymer network based on styrene butadiene rubber and polyalkyl methacrylates

Abstract

AbstractA series of sequential interpenetrating polymer network (IPNs) based on styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and polyalkyl (methyl, ethyl, and butyl) methacrylates have been prepared by using tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker. The IPNs were characterized by infrared spectrophotometer, dynamic mechanical analyzer, thermogravimetric analyzer, and swelling study. IPNs have exhibited higher tensile properties compared with pure SBR. IPNs based on PMMA have shown higher tensile strength compared with others. Dynamic mechanical analysis has shown that the IPNs have superior dynamic properties than SBR. Because of IPN formation, tan δ peak shifted inward between SBR and acrylates. Although the magnitude of tan δ decreased, the peaks were broadened because of micro heterogeneous phase separation. At higher concentration of methacrylate, splitting in tan δ peak was noticed because of phase separation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1120–1126, 2007