Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethane and poly(vinyl chloride) : Thermal stability assessment

A series of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN) of polyurethane (PU) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been obtained by prepolymer method and characterised by FTIR; morphological features were examined by SEM-EDS. It has been found that PVC spherical aggregates are dispersed in the PU matrix, but Cl atoms location indicates partial miscibility of both polymers at the interphase which is probably due to hydrogen bonding and/or dipole-dipole interactions. The PVC component influences the phase behaviour of PU's hard segments, as evidenced by DSC results. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) reveals a complex, multi-step decomposition process with the main mass loss at 503-693 K, while the DTG maxima are located between 540 and 602 K.