Polyurethanes physical

Methylenedi(cyclohexyhsocyanate) (45) [5124-30-1] (MDCHl, Desmodur W) is the dominant derivative of MDCHA and is used in light-stable urethanes. Polyurethane physical properties are dependent on the diamine geometric isomer composition used for the derivative diisocyanate which reacts with diol (87). 

The physical properties of polyurethane adhesives result from a special form of phase separation which occurs in the cross-linked polyurethane stmcture. The urethane portions of polyurethanes tend to separate from the polyol portion of the resin, providing good shear strength, good low temperature flexibiUty, and high peel strength. Catalysts such as dibutyltin dilaurate [77-58-7], stannous octoate [1912-83-0], l,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane... 

The unsaturation present at the end of the polyether chain acts as a chain terminator ia the polyurethane reaction and reduces some of the desired physical properties. Much work has been done ia iadustry to reduce unsaturation while continuing to use the same reactors and hoi ding down the cost. In a study (102) usiag 18-crown-6 ether with potassium hydroxide to polymerise PO, a rate enhancement of approximately 10 was found at 110°C and slightly higher at lower temperature. The activation energy for this process was found to be 65 kj/mol (mol ratio, r = 1.5 crown ether/KOH) compared to 78 kj/mol for the KOH-catalysed polymerisation of PO. It was also feasible to prepare a PPO with 10, 000 having narrow distribution at 40°C with added crown ether (r = 1.5) (103). The polymerisation rate under these conditions is about the same as that without crown ether at 80°C. 

The physical properties of polyurethanes are derived from their molecular stmcture and deterrnined by the choice of building blocks as weU as the supramolecular stmctures caused by atomic interaction between chains. The abiHty to crystalline, the flexibiHty of the chains, and spacing of polar groups are of considerable importance, especially in linear thermoplastic materials. In rigid cross-linked systems, eg, polyurethane foams, other factors such as density determine the final properties. 

Acrylic Resins. The first synthetic polymer denture material, used throughout much of the 20th century, was based on the discovery of vulcanised mbber in 1839. Other polymers explored for denture and other dental uses have included ceUuloid, phenolformaldehyde resins, and vinyl chloride copolymers. Polystyrene, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, and acryHc resins have also been used for dental polymers. Because of the unique combination of properties, eg, aesthetics and ease of fabrication, acryHc resins based on methyl methacrylate and its polymer and/or copolymers have received the most attention since their introduction in 1937. However, deficiencies include excessive polymerization shrinkage and poor abrasion resistance. Polymers used in dental appHcation should have minimal dimensional changes during and subsequent to polymerization exceUent chemical, physical, and color stabiHty processabiHty and biocompatibiHty and the abiHty to blend with contiguous tissues. 

The thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) adhesives must, of necessity, contain low gel content because they must be processable in an extruder. Most adhesives are relatively linear, with a functionality of 2.0, although small amounts of branching may be introduced, usually at the expense of a lower melt flow. Good physical properties of TPU s are obtained when the thermoplastic urethanes have molecular weights of 100,000 or higher (see p. 56 in [63]). Most TPU adhesives are based on symmetrical polyesters with a fast crystallizing backbone or a backbone slightly modified to increase the open time. 

Hydrolysis studies compared a polycarbonate urethane with a poly(tetramethyl-ene adipate) urethane and a polyether urethane based on PTMEG. After 2 weeks in 80°C water, the polycarbonate urethane had the best retention of tensile properties [92], Polycarbonates can hydrolyze, although the mechanism of hydrolysis is not acid-catalyzed, as in the case of the polyesters. Polycarbonate polyurethanes have better hydrolysis resistance than do standard adipate polyurethanes, by virtue of the highest retention of tensile properties. It is interesting to note in the study that the PTMEG-based urethanes, renowned for excellent hydrolysis resistance, had lower retention of physical properties than did the polycarbonate urethanes. 

Polyurethane adhesives are formed by the reaction of various types of isoeyanates with polyols. The polar urethane group enables adhesion to various surfaees. Depending on the raw materials, glue lines with rubber-like elastic to brittle-hard behavior ean be aehieved. The presence of reactive terminal groups provides a ehemieally hardened adhesive. When polymerized to a high enough molecular weight, the adhesive ean be physically rather than chemically hardened, i.e. a hot melt. 

The physical properties of polyurethanes vary with the ratio of the polyol to the diisocyanate. For example, tensile strength can he adjusted within a range of 1,200-600 psi elongation, between 150-800%. ... 

Nearly all of the polymers produced by step-growth polymerization contain heteroatoms and/or aromatic rings in the backbone. One exception is polymers produced from acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization.22 Hydrocarbon polymers with carbon-carbon double bonds are readily produced using ADMET polymerization techniques. Polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, and polyurethanes can be produced from aliphatic monomers with appropriate functional groups (Fig. 1.1). In these aliphatic polymers, the concentration of the linking groups (ester, carbonate, amide, or urethane) in the backbone greatly influences the physical properties. 

An indication of the usefulness of polyurethanes can be found in worldwide consumption data as of 2000, urethanes of all types amounted to 9.25 million tons.10 The commercial success of urethane polymers can be attributed to the ability to conveniently manufacture and apply materials with specific combinations of physical properties. Furthermore, urethanes are often the best choice in demanding, high-performance applications. In this section, the applications listed in Table 4.1 are discussed and a few examples are given from each category. 

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