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PREFACE A L T L E A S T 20 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS have been publicly identified as containing interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). These products include such diverse materials as tough plastics, sound- and vibration-damping compounds, ion-exchange resins, artificial teeth, and burn dressings. As a composition of matter, the IPNs are younger cousins to polymer blends, blocks, and grafts, all members of the larger class of multicomponent polymer materials. Each of these materials is based on combinations of two or more polymers. In IPNs, the polymers are cross-linked. Most, but not all, of the multicomponent polymer materials are phase separated because of the very small entropy of mixing. Cross-linking of the polymers pro vides a mechanism for controlling domain sizes and shapes and also reduces creep and flow. Although very much IPN research is (and should be) industrially oriented, a surprising fraction of the research is fundamental in nature, taking place in univer sities and research institutes. Thus, many of us have found that IPNs are a very fertile ground for graduate theses, which contribute basic information about the synthesis, gelation, morphology, mechanical behavior, permeability, and adhesive nature of these complex materials. This book is the written record of the first international symposium devoted entirely to IPNs held at the joint meeting of the 4th Chemical Congress of North America and the American Chemical Society meeting. The IPN symposium, which ran for two and a half days, had an overflow participation, with papers also sched uled in the poster session. The big surprise to the organizers was the extent of the international participation, with papers submitted from France, Japan, Canada, Aus tralia, the People's Republic of China, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, Holland, Korea, England, Israel, and Poland as well as the United States. There are many people and organizations to thank for making this book pos sible. The ACS Petroleum Research Fund, the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division of the ACS, Lehigh University, University of Detroit Mercy, and the National Research Council of Canada all contributed financially to the symposium. Although secretaries everywhere contributed to the production of the
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manuscripts, special thanks is due to Virginia Newhard, who handled much of the extensive correspondence and mass mailings related to the symposium. We dedicate this book to polymer scientists and engineers everywhere, who are building a most important interdisciplinary field for the betterment of humanity. D. K L E M P N E R
University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, M I 48221
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L . H. S P E R L I N G
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA 18015 L. A. UTRACKI
National Research Council Boucherville, Quebec, Canada J4B 6Y4 January 1993
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