Structure-property relationships of chain-extended thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers

The effect of chain extender chemical structure on the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane/urethaneurea elastomers was systematically investigated. Several series of materials were synthesised using 4,4' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and poly(tetramethylene oxide) glycol (PTMG), each series incorporating a particular class of chain extender compound. Elucidation of the influence of chain extender structural variations within each series was the principal objective of the investigation…