Effect of compatibilizing compounds on the viscoelastic properties of interpenetrating polymer networks

The effect of various compatibilizing compounds on the viscoelastic behavio ur of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on cross-linked p olyurethane and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) was investigated. It was establi shed that in many cases, because of the specific chemical structure of comp atibilizing compounds, the modified system reveals only one maximum of mech anical losses instead of two for initial semi-IPNs. This effect may be call ed compatibilization throughout the whole volume of the initially phase sep arated system. The disappearance of two maxima, revealing only one shows th at the segregation degree in the IPN diminishes and in some cases miscible systems are formed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.