Preparation and Properties of IPN Materials Containing Bisphenol A Acrylate and an Epoxide Hybrid Unit.

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared by photo and thermal polymerizations of diacrylate, diepoxide and hybrid monomer mixtures, in which the functional groups in each monomer were linked by bisphenol A hard segment. Dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis, hardness analysis and visible spectrometry were performed to evaluate the properties of the IPNs and their precursors. The IPNs obtained, containing a small amount of diepoxide, indicated the highest mechanical properties at a ratio of hybrid/diacrylate of around 1:2. This composition also agreed with the composition showing highest surface hardness and transparency. In addition, the influence of microwave irradiation on curing time was also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]