Segmented polyurethanes bearing well-characterized soft and hard blocks were prepared by a new synthetic approach, in which two prepolymers were coupled after their separate preparation (SPU products). Another set of polyurethanes, alike in composition, was prepared by the conventional technique, i.e. in two steps (PU products). The thermal and mechanical behavior of these materials were evaluated by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and mechanic tests. The two distinct sets of polymer samples exhibited a pronounced thermal behavior and mechanical performance dissimilarity, which could be addressed to their differences in morphology. The observed results were interpreted in terms of size and polydispersity of the hard and soft segments. SEM and DSC analyses showed that SPU products have more extensive phase segregation than the PU products. WAXS analysis confirmed these results.
Segmented polyurethane; thermal properties; mechanical properties; phase segregation; morphology; thermoplastic rubber
