Carbodiimides as Stabilizers

Oligomeric carbodiimides are useful stabilizers for ester based polymers, such as polyesters, polyester based polyurethanes, polyether based polyurethanes, polyether based poly(urethane ureas) and polycarbonates. The scavenging of carboxyl end groups or carboxyl groups, generated in the hydrolysis of polyesters, with carbodiimide prevents hydrolysis of the polymers caused by the catalytic effect of the carboxyl groups. Neumann 

Applications for the Stabaxol stabilizers include thermoplastic polyester urethanes, polyesteramide thermoplastic elastomers, castable polyester urethanes, polyester polyols, monofilament PET fibers, polycarbonates, polycarbonate/PETblends, EVA copolymers and poly(caprolactones). The thermal stabilization of poly(ethylene sulfide) is also accomplished with 4 % hexamethylenebis(t-butyl)carbodiimide and 2 % diphenylacetylene. Also, alternating carbon monoxide/ethylene copolymers are stabilized using aromatic carbodiimides.  

Carbodiimides have also been proposed as stabilizing agents for cinnamate ester based photo-polymers. Also, adhesion of the gelatinous photographic materials to a poly(ethylene terephthalate) support is improved through the addition of carbodiimides.  

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