Interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyol modified castor oil polyurethane and poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate): Synthesis, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of glycerol modified castor oil po lyurethane (GC-PU) and poly [2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate] (PHEMA) were synth esized using benzoyl peroxide as initiator and N,N-methylene bis acrylamide as crosslinker. GC-PU/PHEMA interpenetrating polymer networks were obtaine d by transfer moulding. These were characterized with respect to their resi stance to chemical reagents and mechanical properties such as tensile stren gth, per cent elongation and shore A hardness. Differential scanning calori metry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were undertaken for therma l characterization. The changes in NCO/OH ratio and GC-PU/PHEMA composition on the properties of the IPNs were studied.