Transparent semi- and full-interpenetrating polymer networks based on uralkyd–polymethyl methacrylate

Abstract

Transparent two-component semi- and full-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of soybean–oil based uralkyd resin (UA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were synthesized by the sequential technique. The elastomers obtained were characterized with respect to their mechanical properties such as tensile strength, percent elongation and hardness (shore A). The apparent densities of these samples were determined and compared. Glass transition studies were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal characterization of the elastomers was undertaken with the aid of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Phase morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of the compositional variation on the above mentioned properties was examined. The elongation % showed higher values in the case of all the semi-IPNs as compared to the full-IPNs and showed optimum values for 50% UA–50% PMMA full- and semi-IPNs.