Study of the structure of interpenetrating polymer systems using the turbidity spectrum and X-ray diffractometry☆

A study was made of the microstructural heterogeneity of interpenetrating polymer systems (IPS) prepared using hexamethylenedi-isocyanate (HMDI)-ethylenesulphide (ES) and 2,4-toluylenedi-isocyanate (2,4-TDI)-propylenesulphide (PrS) by methods involving the turbidity spectrum and X-ray diffractometery. Methodical problems of using the turbidity spectrum to characterize IPS were described. It was shown that IPS are amorphous heterogeneous systems of colloidal level of heterogeneity. The degree of heterogeneity decreases markedly on increasing polyalkylenesulphide content which, apparently, reflects the type of micro-separation in HMDI-ES and 2,4-TDI-PrS systems.