Preparation and Characterization of Electroconductive Adhesives of NanoG/Polyurethane-Epoxy IPNs

Polyurethanes (PU) based on toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and polypropylene glycol 2000 (PPG) were reacted with an epoxy resin (EP) to prepare interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). Three kinds of electroconductive adhesives were prepared by dispersing nano-graphite (NanoG) into different matrices, i.e., pure PU, crosslinked PU/EP, and pure EP. The effects of epoxy content on morphological structure, conducting properties, thermal stability, and adhesive properties of the electroconductive adhesives were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, standard digital multimeter, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and lapshear tests. The results indicate that epoxy in the polyurethane-epoxy IPN adhesives plays an important role in clanging the morphological structure and improving conductivity properties, thermal stability, and adhesive properties of the electroconductive adhesives of PU.     

High performance epoxy resin nanocomposites containing both organic montmorillonite and castor oil-polyurethane

Summary Epoxy resin/polyurethane interpenetrating polymer network nanocomposites with various contents of organophilic montmorillonite (oM-EP/PU nanocomposites) were prepared by a sequential polymeric technique and an in situ intercalation method. X-ray diffraction(XRD), and transmission electronic microscopy(TEM) analysis showed that organophilic montmorillonite (oMMT) disperses uniformly in epoxy resin/polyurethane interpenetrating networks(IPNs), and the intercalated or exfoliated microstructures of oMMT are formed. Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) test proved that oMMT promotes the compatibility of EP phase and PU phase, and glass transition temperature(T_g) of oM-EP/PU nanocomposites improves with increasing oMMT content. Mechanical properties tests and thermal gravity analysis (TGA) indicated that oMMT and the IPNs of EP and PU exhibit synergistic effect on improving mechanical and thermal properties of pure EP. The mechanism of toughing and reinforcing of oM-EP/PU nanocomposites was further discussed by scanning electronic microscope(SEM).     

Mechanical properties of blocked polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer networks

The mechanical properties of blocked polyurethane(PU)/epoxy interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were studied by means of their static and damping properties. The studies of static mechanical properties of IPNs are based on tensile properties, flexural properties, hardness, and impact method. Results show that the tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness of IPNs decreased with increase in blocked PU content. The impact strength of IPNs increased with increase in blocked PU content. It shows that the tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus, and flexural modulus of IPNs increased with filler (CaCO₃) content to a maximum value at 5, 10, 20, and 25 phr, respectively, and then decreased. The higher the filler content, the greater the hardness of IPNs and the lower the notched Izod impact strength of IPNs. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of IPNs were shifted inwardly compared with those of blocked PU and epoxy, which indicated that the blocked PU/epoxy IPNs showed excellent compatibility. Meanwhile, the T_g was shifted to a higher temperature with increasing filler (CaCO₃) content. The dynamic storage modulus (E′) of IPNs increased with increase in epoxy and filler content. The higher the blocked PU content, the greater the swelling ratio of IPNs and the lower the density of IPNs. The higher the filler (CaCO₃) content, the greater the density of IPNs, and the lower the swelling ratio of IPNs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1826–1832, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating network nanocomposites with organoclays

Summary Novel nanocomposites with varying contents of organophilic montmorillonite (oMMT) were prepared by intercalating oMMT to interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polyurethane and epoxy resin (PU/EP). The PU/EP networks and the oMMT modified PU/EP IPNs nanocomposites were studied with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, water absorption and tensile test. The results show that oMMT and the IPNs of polyurethane and epoxy resin exhibit synergistic effect on the phase structure and morphology of the IPNs nanocomposites. The addition of oMMT to the PU/EP IPNs matrix provides two fold benefits to the properties of the IPNs nanocomposites. oMMT has not a distinct effect on chemical structure of PU/EP IPNs but promotes the compatibility and phase structure of the IPNs, and the forced compatibility of PU and EP in interpenetrating process improves the dispersion degree of oMMT. Both the mechanical properties and water resistance of the PU/EP IPNs nanocomposites are superior to those of the pure PU/EP IPNs.     

Damping properties of interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethane‐modified epoxy and polyurethanes

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared from polyurethane (PU)‐modified epoxy with different molecular weight of polyol and polyurethanes based on the mixture of polydiol and polytriol by a one‐shot method. Two types of PU‐modified epoxy: PU‐crosslinked epoxy and PU‐dangled epoxy were synthesized, and the effects of the different molecular weights of polyol in the PU‐modified epoxy/PU IPNs on the dynamic mechanical properties, morphology, and damping behavior were investigated. The results show that the damping ability is enhanced through the introduction of PU‐modified epoxy into the PU matrix to form the IPN structure. As the molecular weight of polyol in PU‐modified epoxy increases, the loss area (LA) of the two types of the IPNs increases. PU‐dangled epoxy/PU IPNs exhibit much higher damping property than that of the PU‐crosslinked epoxy/PU IPNs with 20 wt % of PU‐crosslinked epoxy. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 328–335, 1999     

Interpenetrating polymer networks of bismaleimide and polyurethane-crosslinked epoxy

This study prepared an interpenetrating polymer network of bismaleimide and polybutylene adipate-based polyurethane-crosslinked epoxy (BMI/PU-EP IPN) using the simultaneous bulk polymerization technique. Infrared spectra analysis was also performed to identify the polyurethane-crosslinked epoxy (PU-EP). Also investigated herein were the mechanical properties including tensile strength, fracture energy, and Izod impact strength of various bismaleimide content in PU-EP matrix. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses of the BMI/PU-EP IPN were conducted as well. Analyses results demonstrate that the bismaleimide was dissolved primarily in the polyurethane domains of the epoxy matrix to form a compatible system, thereby increasing the mechanical strength of the BMI/PU-EP IPNs. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 529–536, 1998     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of organoclay‐modified polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network nanocomposites

organoclay‐modified polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating network nanocomposites (oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites) were prepared by adding organophilic montmorillonite (oMMT) to interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polyurethane and epoxy resin (PU/EP) which had been prepared by a sequential polymerization technique. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the interpenetrating process of PU and EP improved the exfoliation and dispersion degree of oMMT. The effects of the NCO/OH ratio (isocyanate index), the weight ratio of PU/EP and oMMT content on the phase structure and the mechanical properties of the oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites were studied by tensile testing and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Water absorption tests showed that the PU/EP interpenetrating networks and oMMT had synergistic effects on improvement in the water resistance of the oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that PU was compatible with EP and that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites increased with the oMMT content up to 3 wt%, and then decreased with further increasing oMMT content. The thermal stability of these nanocomposites with various oMMT contents was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the mechanism of thermal stability improvement was discussed according to the experimental results. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Graft‐interpenetrating polymer networks of epoxy with polyurethanes derived from poly(ethyleneterephthalate) waste

Polyester polyurethanes derived from poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) glycolysates were blended with epoxy to form graft‐interpenetrating networks (IPNs) with improved mechanical properties. Microwave‐assisted glycolytic depolymerization of PET was performed in the presence of polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights (600–1500). The resultant hydroxyl terminated polyester was used for synthesis of polyurethane prepolymer which was subsequently reacted with epoxy resin to generate grafted structures. The epoxy‐polyurethane blend was cured with triethylene tetramine under ambient conditions to result in graft IPNs. Blending resulted in an improvement in the mechanical properties, the extent of which was found to be dependant both on the amount as well as molecular weight of PET‐based polyurethane employed. Maximum improvement was observed in epoxy blends prepared with polyurethane (PU1000) at a loading of 10% w/w which resulted in 61% increase in tensile strength and 212% increase in impact strength. The extent of toughening was quantified by flexural studies under single edge notch bending (SENB) mode. In comparison to the unmodified epoxy, the Mode I fracture toughness (K_IC) and fracture energy (G_IC) increased by ～45% and ～184%, respectively. The underlying toughening mechanisms were identified by fractographic analysis, which generated evidence of rubber cavitation, microcracking, and crack path deflection. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40490.     

Study on the properties and application of epoxy resin/polyurethane semi-interpenetrating polymer networks

Damping properties of epoxy resin/polyurethane (EP/PU) semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were studied by the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) method. It shows that the semi-IPNs have excellent damping properties at ordinary temperature. The maximum value of tan δ is about 1 when the weight composition of EP/PU is 70/30. Tensile tests also indicate that the system has good tensile strength and elongation at break at this ratio. The effects of structure on the properties of the semi-IPNs are discussed. Applied to the cavitation corrosion resistant coating, the semi-IPNs show good cavitation corrosion resistance. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Energetic studies on epoxy–polyurethane interpenetrating polymer networks

A blend system prepared from epoxy resin (EP) and polyurethane (PU) was investigated in terms of glass-transition temperature (T_g), contact angle, mechanical interfacial, and mechanical properties. Deionized water and diiodomethane were chosen as the angle testing liquids. In this work, the models of Owens–Wendt and Wu, using a geometric mean, were studied to analyze the surface free energy of the EP/PU blend system. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to investigate the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and functional group changes. The impact test was carried out at room and cryogenic temperatures to determine the low-temperature performance of PU. As a result, mechanical interfacial and mechanical properties give a maximum value at 40 phr of PU, and the deviation of T_g of EP/PU was the closest at 40 phr of PU. Thus it is concluded that EP and PU have the best compatibilities at this ratio. Furthermore, the specific (or polar) component of the surface free energy of the blend system was largely influenced on the addition of the PU, resulting in increasing the critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) and the impact strength for the excellent low-temperature performance. These results could be explained by means of improvement of hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl group in EP and isocyanate group in PU. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 775–780, 2001     

Study on epoxy resins modified by polycarbonate polyurethanes

In this article, the structure and properties of the epoxy resin (EP) modified by polyurethane (PU) prepolymers were studied. The three types of polyurethane prepolymers, namely, polycarbonate-type PU (TPC), polyether-type PU, and polycarbonate–polyether-type PU were employed. The samples were analyzed by means of an infrared spectrometer, a differential scanning calorimeter, a scanning electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope, a scanning tunnel microscope, and a thermal gravimeter. The results show that the EP modified by TPC is of excellent thermal resistance and mechanical properties. Specifically, when the ratio of PU to EP is 10/100 (wt/wt), optimal properties are achieved. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 887–893, 1998     

Tribological mechanism improving the wear resistance of polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network via nanodiamond hybridization

The excellent synergistic effect of physical/mechanical properties of polyurethane/epoxy (PU/EP) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) and the validity of nanofilling have one potential to improve the wear resistance of polymeric materials. With the aim of practical application, PU/EP IPN nanocomposites are prepared with nanodiamond (ND) as a reinforcing additive. Results showed the uniform thermal stability and the excellent compatibility between PU and EP in ND‐hybridized PU/EP IPN. Simultaneously, ND particles work as crosslinked points improving the physical/mechanical properties of ND‐hybridized PU/EP IPN, especially the wear resistance. The measurement of tribological property and the scanning electron microscope indicated that the wear resistance is able to be improved a lot by the formation of IPN and by the addition of ND. Consequently, the tribological mechanism of PU/EP IPN nanocomposites comes into being. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40244.     

聚氨酯/环氧树脂互穿网络聚合物硬质泡沫机械性能研究

采用同步法合成了聚氨酯/环氧树脂互穿网络聚合物(PU/EP IPN)硬质泡沫,对机械性能进行了研究。结果表明,与纯聚氨酯硬质泡沫相比,PU/EP IPN硬质泡沫的压缩强度和弯曲强度明显提高,在PU/EP IPN硬质泡沫中,随环氧树脂含量增加,PU/EP IPN硬质泡沫压缩强度和弯曲强度随之增大,当E-39D质量分数增加到24.2%时,PU/EP IPN硬质泡沫压缩强度和弯曲强度出现最大值;PU/EP IPN硬质泡沫机械强度随材料密度的增大而增加;随着环氧树脂中环氧值的增加,PU/EP IPN硬质泡沫的压缩强度、弯曲强度和拉伸强度均呈逐渐升高的趋势。     

Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites of silicon dioxide and polyurethane and epoxy resin interpenetrating network

Nanocomposites with varying concentrations of nanosized silicon dioxide particles were prepared by adding nanosilica to interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN)s of polyurethane and epoxy resin (PU/EP). The PU/EP IPNs and nanocomposites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electronic microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The result showed that adding nanosize silicon dioxide can improve the properties of compatibility, damping and phase structure of IPN matrices. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Graft interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethane and epoxy containing rigid rods in side chain

The rigid rod‐like 4,4′‐bis(6‐hydroxyhexyloxy)biphenyl (BHHBP) units were distributed in either the epoxy or polyurethane to become SR‐epoxy and PU (with or without BHHBP) polymer matrices. The interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of PU (with or without BHHBP) and SR‐epoxy were synthesized through simultaneous polymerization, and connected each other via the grafting reaction between the ? NCO groups of the PU polymer network and the ? OH groups on the side chains of SR‐epoxy network. The thermal and mechanical characteristics, compatibilities, and morphologies of these PU (with or without BHHBP)/SR‐epoxy graft‐IPNs were investigated. The polyether‐type PU(PPG series)/SR‐ epoxy graft‐IPNs exhibited two‐phased morphologies (i.e., phase separation occurred), and higher fracture energies (G_IC). Whereas the polyester‐type PU(PBA series)/SR‐ epoxy graft‐IPNs were homogeneous (no phase separation), and exhibited higher tensile and Izod impact strengths. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

A comparative study on the preparation and characterization of aromatic and aliphatic bismaleimides‐modified polyurethane–epoxy interpenetrating polymer network matrices

Interpenetrating polymer networks of bismaleimide‐modified polyurethane–epoxy systems were prepared using the aliphatic and aromatic bismaleimides‐ and polyurethane‐modified epoxy and cured in the presence of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane. Infrared spectral analysis was used to confirm the polyurethane‐crosslinked epoxy (PU–EP). The matrices developed were characterized by mechanical, thermal, electrical, and morphological studies. The results obtained from the mechanical studies indicate that the incorporation of polyurethane and bismaleimides into epoxy increased the tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength, according to their nature and percentage concentration. The results obtained from the thermal and electrical studies indicate that the incorporation of polyurethane into epoxy decreased the thermal properties (glass transition temperature, heat distortion temperature (HDT), thermal stability) and electrical properties (dielectric strength, volume and surface resistivity, and arc resistance). The incorporation of aromatic bismaleimide into the polyurethane‐modified epoxy system increased the glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and electrical properties. Decreased values of glass transition and HDT were obtained in the case of aliphatic bismaleimide‐modified polyurethane–epoxy system. Surface morphology of modified epoxy systems was studied using scanning electron microscopy, and it was found that the polyurethane‐modified epoxy systems exhibited heterogeneous morphology and bismaleimides‐modified epoxy systems showed a homogeneous morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3592–3602, 2006     

Polyether and polyester polyol based glycidyl-terminated polyurethane modified epoxy resins: Mechanical properties and morphology

A glycidyl-terminated polyurethane prepolymer was synthesized and used to enhance the properties of epoxy resins. Some properties of glycidyl-terminated PU/epoxy with polyether based (PPG) and polyester based (PBA) glycidyl-terminated PU were investigated in this research. The polyether based glycidyl-terminated PU(PPG) modified epoxy resin proved to be superior to conventional epoxy resins in improved impact strength and fracture energy, but not tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus. On the other hand, the polyester based glycidyl-terminated PU(PBA) modified epoxy resin had increased mechanical properties while showing slight variation of impact strength and fracture energy. Different mechanisms for this behaviour are advanced in this paper.     

Reinforcement of polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating network nanocomposites with an organically modified palygorskite

An organophilic palygorskite (o‐PGS) prepared by the treatment of natural palygorskite with hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide was incorporated into interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polyurethane (PU) and epoxy resin (EP), and a series of PU/EP/clay nanocomposites were obtained by a sequential polymeric technique and compression‐molding method. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that adding nanosize o‐PGS could promote the compatibility and phase structure of PU/EP IPN matrices. Tensile testing and thermal analysis proved that the mechanical and thermal properties of the PU/EP IPN nanocomposites were superior to those of the pure PU/EP IPN. This was attributed to the special fibrillar structure of palygorskite and the synergistic effect between o‐PGS and the IPN matrices. In addition, the swelling behavior studies indicated that the crosslink density of PU/EP IPN gradually increased with increasing o‐PGS content. The reason may be that o‐PGS made the chains more rigid and dense. As for the flame retardancy, the PU/EP nanocomposites had a higher limiting oxygen index than the pure PU. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Semiinterpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone. I. Thermodynamic state and dynamic mechanical analysis

Semiinterpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) based on polyurethane (PU) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have been synthesized, and their thermodynamic characteristics, thermal properties, and dynamical mechanical properties have been studied to have an insight in their structure as a function of their composition. First, the free energies of mixing of the two polymers in semi‐IPNs based on crosslinked PU and PVP have been determined by the vapor sorption method. It was established that these constituent polymers are not miscible in the semi‐IPNs. The differential scanning calorimetry results evidence the T_g of polyurethane and two T_g for PVP. The dynamic mechanical behavior of the semi‐IPNs has been investigated and is in accordance with their thermal behavior. It was shown that the semi‐IPNs present three distinct relaxations. If the temperature position of PU maximum tan δ is invariable, on the contrary, the situation for the two maxima observed for PVP is more complex. Only the maximum of the highest temperature relaxation is shifted to lower temperature with changing of the semi‐IPNs composition. It was concluded that investigated semi‐IPNs are two‐phase systems with incomplete phase separation. The phase composition was calculated using viscoelastic properties. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 852–862, 2001