Evaluation of Effective Crosslinking Density for Pseudo-Semi Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Based on Polyether Glycols Mixture by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

Pseudo-semi interpenetrating polymer networks (pseudo-semi IPNs) are a special example of topological isomerism in macromolecules, which have attracted significant attention in recent years with a high potential in a variety of engineering applications of polymeric materials. In this article, pseudo-semi IPNs were synthetized by sequential polymerization of thermoplastic polymers (TPEs) in the presence of thermosetting elastomer (TSEs) with contents of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt.% in a vacuum oven at 60 degrees C for about 72 h. In addition, this article describes a method for researching the elastic modulus, effective crosslinking density and physical crosslinking density of TSEs and pseudo-semi IPNs. The inherent interactions and entanglements of pseudo-semi IPNs were discussed by analyzing the changes in elastic modulus and effective crosslinking density at different temperatures. The results show that after the TPE was added to the TSE matrix as a plastic-reinforced material, the ductility increased from 89.6% to 491%, the effective crosslinking density was increased by 100% at high temperatures and the strength of the material matrix was significantly improved. Two physical events take place in our pseudo-semi IPNs as result of energy dissipation and polymeric chains mobility.

Automated summary

This article discusses the synthesis of pseudo-semi interpenetrating polymer networks (pseudo-semi IPNs) and their potential in engineering applications. Pseudo-semi IPNs were synthesized by sequentially polymerizing thermoplastic polymers (TPEs) in the presence of thermosetting elastomer (TSEs). The elastic modulus, effective crosslinking density, and physical crosslinking density of TSEs and pseudo-semi IPNs were investigated, and the inherent interactions and entanglements of pseudo-semi IPNs were discussed. The results show that the addition of TPEs to the TSE matrix significantly improves the ductility and strength of the material matrix.