Material PropertiesHydroxy-terminated liquid nitrile rubber modified castor oil based polyurethane/epoxy IPN composites: Damping, thermal and mechanical properties

A series of castor oil based polyurethane (PU)/epoxy resin (EP) graft interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) composites modified by hydroxy-terminated liquid nitrile rubber (HTLN) were prepared. The effects of HTLN content on the phase structure and damping properties of the HTLN modified PU/EP IPN composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal decomposition temperature of the composites increased with increase of HTLN content. The tensile strength and impact strength of the IPN composites were also significantly improved, especially when the HTLN content was 5%. The modified IPN composites were intended for future use as structural damping materials.