IPNs based on unsaturated polyester/epoxy: IV. Investigation on hydrogen bonding,compatability and interaction behavior

A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on unsaturated polyester/epoxy have been developed. The compatibility and interaction behavior of these IPNs have been investigated by DMA, DSC, SEM, FTIR and solid‐state NMR spectroscopies. The glass transition temperatures of IPNs were decreased and their transitions became broader as the content of unsaturated polyester increased in IPNs, based on our DMA and DSC study. The results of FTIR indicate that hydrogen bonding is present between the unsaturated polyester and epoxy. Insufficient degree of hydrogen bonding brought about immiscibility between IPN components. The analysis of proton spin‐lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame of the IPNs was also utilized to investigate molecular interaction between unsaturated polyester and epoxy. From relaxation curves, phase separation was found for the IPN samples with unsaturated polyester content higher than 30 %. This corroborates the DMA and SEM study. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry