AbstractA curable polymeric composite was prepared using equal weights of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), reactive polyfunctional methacrylate monomers, and inorganic fillers. Peroxide initiated in situ polymerization of the polyfunctional methacrylate monomers in the PVC matrix produced an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure. The polymerization kinetics and the degree of polymerization were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), and solvent extraction. All measurements indicated that during polymerization, the PVC is either crosslinked by or grafted onto the methacrylate three‐dimensional network structure. The rheological properties of the composite were measured before curing using a Rheometrics mechanical spectrometer and found to exhibit mainly viscous behavior and diminished elasticity. The PVC and the methacrylate monomers form a two‐phase system when mixed at room temperature. However, when heated to 100°C the PVC dissolves in the monomers and forms a one‐phase optically clear blend with a single glass transition temperature. In the presence of peroxide, the one‐phase blend is stable and does not separate out upon cooling and storing at room t
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