Elastomer properties, hard segments

After almost half a century of use in the health field, PU remains one of the most popular biomaterials for medical applications. Their segmented block copolymeric character endows them with a wide range of versatility in tailoring their physical properties, biodegradation character, and blood compatibility. The physical properties of urethanes can be varied from soft thermoplastic elastomers to hard, brittle, and highly cross-linked thermoset material. 

PU elastomers contain alternative soft and hard segments, which separate into different phases. Hard domains play a role of cross-links, whereas soft blocks provide extensibility. Therefore, morphology and properties of PU are defined by relative amount of soft and hard segments. For example, at 70% concentration of soft segments, the material is described as a mbbery matrix with... 

Several types of diisocyanates (aromatic, aliphatic, cyclo aliphatic) and many different glycol-chain extenders (open-chain aliphatic, cyclo aliphatic, aromatic aliphatic) can be used to produce TPU-elastomer hard segments. In the more conventional and practical formulations only a single diisocyanate component is used to make a TPU, so the diisocyanate is common to both the hard and soft segments. The polymer chemist makes his diisocyanate and glycol-chain-extender component selections based on such considerations as desired TPU mechanical properties, upper service temperature, environmental resistance, solubility characteristics, and economics. 

Table I summarizes properties of RIM elastomers obtained at a 40% hard segment level. Several isocyanate indices are given. Systems having a 1" suffix, i.e. Al, were not post-cured. Systems with a "2" suffix were post-cured under conditions given. In general, the higher index systems give higher strength properties and lower elongations at break. Ccnparison of non post-cured with post-cured systems indicate little oroperty enhancement upon post-cured.

Polyurethane elastomers derive their elastomeric properties from phase separation of the hard and soft copolymer segments, such that the hard (urethane) segment domains serve as crosslinks between the amorphous soft segment domains, which are usually polyesters or polyethers. We are interested in the systems in which the hard segments are prepared from diphenyl-methane 4,4 -diisocyanate (MDI) with a linear diol as the chain extender ... 

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