THE STABILITY OF POLY(ETHER URETHANE) POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are a special type of polymer blend consisting of two polymer networks synthesized and/or cross-lin ked independently within each other. One potential approach for the pr eparation of composite materials from polymers having desirable physic al characteristics obtained by modifying their surfaces with physiolog ically acceptable polymers involves IPN technology. An IPN based on a poly(ether urethane) and polydimethylsiloxane has been synthesized and characterized using optical microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The stability of poly(ether urethane )/polydimethylsiloxane composites were studied in hydroxyl radical aqu eous solutions over 30 weeks. The data suggest that these composites h ave good potential for biomedical applications. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.