Damping characteristics and mechanical properties of silica filled PUR/PEMA simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks

Simultaneous polyurethane/poly(ethyl methacrylate) interpenetrating polymer network was synthesised by the one-shot route at the 70PUR/30PEMA composition ratio. This semi-miscible IPN exhibited its potential as a material for damping application by a broad loss factor (tan δ) ⩾ 0.3 spanning a temperature range of 132 °C. The TEM micrographs revealed a multiphase morphology where the mixing between the two polymers was extensive. Incorporation of silica was made in order to study the effects of filler on the IPN properties in terms of glass transition temperature, dynamic mechanical properties, and mechanical and thermal properties. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis indicated that the filler enhanced the damping ability of the IPN at certain temperature range. Furthermore, the addition of filler resulted in improved material strength.