Abstract
Although extensive studies on copolymers have been carried out with a view to exploiting the combined homopolymer properties, physical blends of polymers have warranted less attention. But as a result of increased scientific and economic interest research in this challenging field has grown over the last two decades. The unique properties of silicone polymers, due to their Si - O - Si backbone, including their low Tg's, gives rise to some specific applications. However, it is their singular structure which also makes silicone polymers incompatible with most other macromolecules and limits their incorporation to low amounts. Bleeding and mechanical loss are observed at higher percentages. This overview is divided into three parts: the first covers silicone/polymer bicomponent blends with the silicone being either functionalized or not. The second part describes the different ways to compatibilize the two phases of the silicon/polymer blend using copolymers which can be added as either preformed copolymers or synthesized in situ. The efficiency of the copolymers involved varies depending on their chemical structure and architecture. The final section is dedicated to the different methods of preparation of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs) which are commercially and industrially by far the most interesting. The relevant processes (extrusion, batch, casting, etc.) as well as the properties of the various resulting materials are also reviewed throughout the paper.