Development of organic glass using Interpenetrating Polymer Networks with enhanced resistance towards scratches and solvents

Mickaël Berrebi (1) , Isabelle Fabre-Francke (1) , Bertrand Lavédrine (2) , Odile Fichet (1)

1 LPPI - Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Polymères et des Interfaces
2 CRCC - Centre de Recherche pour la Conservation des Collections

Acrylate polymers are one of common organic glass family. However their sensitivity to abrasion is an important drawback. Various alternatives were considered but they are often expensive. In this work, we show that the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) glass resistance can be improved by performing materials based on Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) at low cost. A series of transparent IPNs based on an aliphatic polycarbonate and PMMA was synthesized through in situ polymerization process. The formation of two networks in the IPNs was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. Effects of PMMA cross-linking and partner proportions in the IPNs were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Optical properties, solvent and scratch resistances have been also studied.

Domaines: Polymères; Matériaux

Mickaël Berrebi, Isabelle Fabre-Francke, Bertrand Lavédrine, Odile Fichet. Development of organic glass using Interpenetrating Polymer Networks with enhanced resistance towards scratches and solvents. European Polymer Journal, 2014, 63, pp.132-140. ⟨hal-01206469⟩