Polymers are known to show a wide range of characteristics like high impact and tensile strength which make them useful for different applications. Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) created by combining two different types of polymers provide a novel avenue for improving overall polymer properties. In this research, acrylic-polyurethane based graft-interpenetrating polymer networks, which are transparent and possess high mechanical properties are synthesized. Chemical crosslinking points between the two polymeric systems are used to decrease the degree of phase separation. Therefore, the degree of transparency and thermo-mechanical properties of the polymers increase. The effects of changing the percentage of acrylic polymer precursors and the percentage of the acrylic copolymer and polyurethane on the stiffness, glass transition temperature, transparency, fracture toughness and phase separation of the IPN are studied by using a number of characterization methods. The data showed that the flexibility of the polyurethane phase and the high glass transition and rigidity of the acrylic copolymer give improved strength and stiffness to the IPN in addition to high impact strength. Moreover, good transparency of the IPN networks with different percentages of the acrylic copolymer precursors are obtained. For modeling the system, assumptions are made on linear elasticity behavior and small deformation of the IPNs. Matlab is used for determining the prony series coefficients which are needed for modeling the relaxation process of the IPNs. As a future work, the framework will be extended to hyperelastic behavior and large deformation of the IPNs.

Acrylic-polyurethane based graft-interpenetrating polymer networks

255th National Meeting (2018)

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