Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (Semi-IPNs) based on epoxy and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR; added in 5.9 and 11.1 wt %) have been prepared by chemical route. Room temperature curing was attempted using triethylene tetramine as a hardener. Blend with 11.1% UPR is found to exhibit best mechanical properties. Further, blends were also prepared by adding aromatic amines such as diphenylamine (DPA, secondary amine) and benzidine (Bz, primary amine). Structural elucidation of the samples through identification of functional groups was carried out with the help of Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy. Absence of peak at 915 cm-1 (characteristic of epoxy ring) confirmed complete curing in all the blends. The mechanical properties such as hardness, izod impact and tensile strength of blends were compared. The co-cured blends show decrease in shore hardness (approximate to 16%), while, the izod impact exhibits an opposite trend. Blends with 10% DPA and Bz show an increase in izod impact by 268.6% and 38.8% respectively. Further, the tensile strength is observed to be enhanced by 45% in case of DPA while addition of Bz reduces it by 32.8%. Thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. TGA shows no significant change in onset and decomposition temperature but temperature at which it melts is lowered almost by 100150 degrees C together with the onset temperature (by approximate to 200 degrees C) observed in DSC. Scanning electron micrographs reveal granular nature of the samples. The homogeneity of blends appears to be good. The blends co-cured with DPA are relatively crystalline compared with others. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012