Super tough interpenetrating polymeric network of styrene butadiene rubber-poly(methyl methacrylate) incorporated with general purpose carbon black (N660)

A classic set of polymeric interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) micro-composites has been fabricated using an elastomer-styrene butadiene rubber [SBR], a thermoplastic poly(methyl methacrylate)-PMMA and with carbon black (CB)-N660 as a filler and reinforcing agent. This synthesized IPN composite can be promisingly employed as a toughened plastic and vibrational damper in a wide service range with excellent thermal stability, optimum storage modulus, and co-continuous morphological pattern. transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman imaging are successfully employed for the morphological characterization. Mechanical, thermal, viscoelastic, and damping features of IPN composites have been carefully studied in detail and compared with parent polymers, corresponding IPN, and composites. The double network formation of filler CB and plastic component PMMA form an intercalated morphological pattern in the SBR matrix with 20 times enhancement in toughness value compared with neat SBR. The fabrication and characterization adopted in this work can definitely act as a platform for the design of new toughened material with excellent performance and cost-effectiveness.

Automated summary

A classic set of polymeric interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) micro-composites has been successfully fabricated, exhibiting excellent thermal stability and co-continuous morphological pattern. The material was characterized using various microscopy techniques and compared with parent polymers. The synthesized IPN composite showed remarkable mechanical performance and damping features, making it suitable for toughened plastics and vibrational dampers.