interpenetrating polymer network

interpenetrating polymer network

[‚in·tər‚pen·ə‚trād·iŋ ‚päl·ə·mər ′net‚wərk] (organic chemistry) Two or more polymer components, each of which is a crosslinked three-dimensional network, one of which is formed (crosslinked) in the presence of the other. The polymer networks are physically entangled with, but not covalently bonded to, each other. Characteristically, these networks do not dissolve in solvent or flow when heated. Abbreviated IPN.