Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Between Natural Rubber And Polymethyl Methacrylate: Effect Of Crosslink Densities On Theirmechanical And Physical Properties

Abstract

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized using natural rubber (NR) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) via the sequential mode of polymerization. Dicumyl peroxide and divinyl benzene were used as the crosslinker of NR and comonomer/crosslinker for methyl methacrylate monomer, with benzoyl peroxide as the initiator. IPNs were prepared and characterised by evaluating their mechanical properties, swelling behaviour, density and the effect of solvents, by varying the degree of crosslinking of the base matrix NR The results showed higher tensile strength,density and a lower percentage of swelling for IPNs. This is due to an increase in the number of cross links, calculated using Flory-Rehner equation for crosslinked polymers.The resultant IPNs was found to have a good resistance against most common solvents,thus showing great potential in the medical field as well as in the polymer industry, as films and coatings.