| abstract |
Polymeric structures having interpenetrating matrices in cured form comprising an epoxy-polyamine network and a polysiloxane network. The interpenetrating network physical and chemical properties are improved over those of either polymeric component alone. The network can be prepared by simultaneously reacting epoxy resin having at least two oxirane groups with amine curing agent, and having present at least 0.1 equivalent of silane, water being substantially uniformly distributed throughout the mixture in an amount sufficient to bring about substantial hydrolytic polycondensation of the silane to form a cross-linked interpenetrating polymer network. The amine curing agent may be substituted wholly or in part by aminosilane. Sources of silane may include aminosilane and epoxysilane. Relative reaction rates of formation of the polymeric networks are controlled, to get good intertwining of the two polymers. |