Polyurethane/Epoxy Interpenetrating Polymer Network

Abstract

Polyurethane is a versatile thermoplastic polymer with a range of characteristics (tensile strength, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and processability) as coating, elastomer, foam, and fiber for technical application. Epoxy resin, on the other hand, is thermoset having fine mechanical, chemical, and adhesion properties to be utilized as adhesives, coatings, and matrix for advanced composite materials. However, epoxy resins are rigid and brittle in nature and have poor crack resistance. To overcome these problems, polyurethane phase has been introduced in the epoxy network for toughening. Considerable research has been carried out to introduce a second reactive polymer in the matrix to generate interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). Consequently, mechanical properties, glass transition behavior, thermal resistance, and damping features of polyurethane have been enhanced by introducing epoxy to form polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network structure. Different modifiers have been employed to modify the properties of polyurethane/epoxy IPNs such as montmorillonite nanoclay, fibers, fly ash, conducting polymers, etc. The polyurethane/epoxy crosslinked networks have shown a range of high-performance application in ion-exchange resins, aircraft, engineering materials, biomedical devices, and other commercial IPN products.

Toolbox for optimizing anti‐erosion protective coatings of wind turbine blades: Overview of mechanisms and technical solutions

“…[136][137][138] For instance, damping properties of PU can be improved by introducing epoxy to form PU/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network. 89 The advantages of IPN as compared with pure PU include better heat resistance, higher strength, and extend the temperature range with sufficiently high damping peaks. 90,91 Bicontinuous materials with high specific area and interlocked topology can make the material system defect-insensitive and enhance energy absorption of the materials.…”

“…An interesting type of materials is the materials with interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) . For instance, damping properties of PU can be improved by introducing epoxy to form PU/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network . The advantages of IPN as compared with pure PU include better heat resistance, higher strength, and extend the temperature range with sufficiently high damping peaks …”

Study of Shape Memory and Tensile Property of 3D Printed Sinusoidal Sample/Nylon Composite Focused on Various Thicknesses and Shape Memory Cycles

“…The hard segment, which is also known as a fixed phase, acts as the frame and soft segment, known as reversible phase, and ensures the elasticity and changeability. Shape memory thermoplastic polyurethane (SMTPU) has dragged more interest for application in various fields due to its versatile structure and properties [ 3 , 4 ]. The sinusoidal pattern is a curve pattern that looks like an oscillating wave.…”

Polyurethane nanocomposite coatings: state of the art and perspectives

“…Polyurethane is one of the most versatile high performance polymers employed in coatings, adhesives, elastomers, foams, composites and other processable materials. [1][2][3] Polyurethane coatings possess optimum chemical resistance, mechanical/physical endurance and heat resistance. 4,5 Polyurethane nanocomposites have high thermal, mechanical and physical properties (relative to neat polyurethane) owing to the incorporation of nanoparticles.…”

“…Nevertheless, major hindrance in the use of these versatile coating materials for advanced applications is weathering of the top-coat. 1,3,10 Incorporation of nanoparticles in polyurethane has resolved the weathering issue to some extent; however, focused research efforts are needed to tackle this challenge. This paper basically addresses major developments in the field of polyurethane nanocomposite coatings with special emphasis on the material categories, application areas and related challenges for future advancement.…”