Preparation and Characterization of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Castor Oil Based Uralkyds Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

There is a growing interest in the development polymers based on renewable resources1-2. Polyurethanes constitute a kind of materials that can vary from rubbery to glassy thermoplastics from linear polymers to thermoset. This versatility can be further controlled in terms of processing and composition to fulfil a great versatility that permit the manufacturing of products ranging from expanded materials to highly compact materials3. Numerous reports are available in the literature on the natural oil-based polyurethane in the literature and their sequential or simultaneous interpenetration with vinyl monomers to get the polymers of desired properties4-6. However, usage of uralkyds for the preparation of interpenetrating polymers networks is rarely reported. Uralkyds, as the name suggests, are modified alkyd resins. They are generally used to make conventional paints that cure by air oxidation of the unsaturated groups in the presence of metallic driers to give tough coatings with high abrasion resistance. Moreover, cured uralkyd resin is elastomeric in nature. This property of the uralkyd resin is used to develop elastomers7. Compared to unmodified alkyds, uralkyds have superior abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, adhesion, hardness and durability8,9.