The effect of various types of interaction on the stability of multi‐component interpolymer complexes was studied for some three‐component interpolymer complexes involving poly(ethylene imine), poly(acrylic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol). The degree of linkage (θ), stability constant (K) and related thermodynamic parameters (e.g. ΔH0 and ΔS0) of these complexes were determined at several temperatures and compared for various complexation systems. The comparative study indicated considerable difference in the values of these parameters, which is explained in terms of various modes of interaction between the components. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry