Polyurethane methacrylate/silicone interpenetrating polymer networks synthesis, thermal and mechanical properties

The synthesis of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) combining a polyurethane methacrylate network (PUMA) and a silicone network is reported. The PUMA network is synthesized by UV-light cure. The silicone network is formed through a condensation between α, ω dihydroxy polydimethyl siloxane and γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (γ-MPS) as a cross-linking agent. The IPN is prepared by different mechanism: radical and condensation types. According to thermogravimetric analysis of the hybrid material, the thermal stability stayed unchanged but the kinetic of degradation changed. Tg decreased with increasing silica content. The thermal cure process under humid atmosphere influence properties just for PUMA/4.2%SiUV+T. Condensation between γ-MPS decreases the penetration depth from 158 to 82 μm and increases the mechanical glass transition temperature from 106 to 141 °C.