Novel dielectrics from IPNs derived from castor oil based polyurethanes

Three series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on a polyurethane (castor oil + toluene diisocyanate) with polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) were synthesized and characterized. Dielectric relaxation studies of these IPNs were carried out from −150 to 100°C in the 100 Hz to 100 kHz range. The effects of structural variables such as composition, type of vinyl monomer, as well as the effect of interaction of the phases on the dielectric properties were studied. A certain degree of phase mixing was observed to exist in all series as detected by the variation of the glass‐transition temperatures of the IPNs. Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization at the interface of the two phases was observed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.