Morphologies and properties of polyurethane/epoxy resin interpenetrating network nanocomposites modified with organoclay

Polyurethane/epoxy resin interpenetrating network nanocomposites containing various contents of organophilic montmorillonite (oM-PU/EP nanocomposites) were prepared by a sequential polymeric technique and an in situ intercalation method. Transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy analysis showed that the interpenetrating process of PU and EP increases the exfoliation degree of organophilic montmorillonite (oMMT), and that oMMT improves the compatibility and phase structure of polyurethane/epoxy resin interpenetrating polymer networks (PU/EP IPNs). Tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravity analysis proved that the mechanical and thermal properties of the oM-PU/EP nanocomposites are superior to those of the pure PU and PU/EP IPNs. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.