A Researchers Approach to IPNs

According to Cassidy, an interesting research problem must have one of three elements a new theory, a new instrument, or a new material. This monograph describes the development of a new class of materials, the IPNs. Only the basic elements of the field have yet been explored. For example, the number of papers on IPNs in the period 1977-1979 roughly equals that for the entire preceding period. However, setting down the work already done may inspire yet more research. 

The field of IPNs has a special problem relating to nomenclature. Since no standard nomenclature yet exists, and many works on IPNs do not contain the phrase interpenetrating polymer networks, it is difficult to identify quickly many IPN-related papers and patents. While this work is also incomplete in this respect, many new workers in the field are included. 

In brief, the monograph will proceed from the basic to the applied. Since the IPNs are members of the larger polyblend field elements of polymer blends will be introduced next, followed by a proposed nomenclature. Then the subfield of homo-IPNs will be taken up, as model materials. The main theme of this work will be found in Chapters 5-8. 

---