NOVEL INORGANIC/ORGANIC SEMI-INTERPENETRATING NETWORKS

摘要

A Semi-Interpenetrating Network was prepared from an inorganic elastomer and a PMR-15 type resin designated LaRC™ RP46. A structure-property relationship of these inorganic/organic Semi-IPNs was studied by varying the composition of the Semi-IPN components and the structure of the inorganic elastomer. Thin films of the inorganic/organic Semi-IPNs were prepared using 2.5, 5.0, and 10 wt% of commercially available polyphosphazenes, Expel-A™ and Expel-F™, as the inorganic elastomer phase. These thin films were evaluated in terms of fracture toughness, thermo-oxidative stability, thermal, and tensile properties. Preliminary results show a substantial increase in fracture toughness without any substantial loss of tensile properties or thermo-oxidative stability. With a 2.5 wt % polyphosphazene loading of either Expel™-A or -F, the fracture toughness of the Semi-IPN increased by 75-80%. When 5.0 wt % polyphosphazene loading was used, the fracture toughness was improved by 180 % and 225% for the Expel™-A and Expel™-F, respectively.