Hydrogen Bonding in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers:IR Thermal Analysis

The hydrogen bond percentage and its temperature dependence of the three TPU samples synthesized from polytetrahydrofuran, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, N -methyl diethanol amine or 1,4-butane diol were studied by means of IR thermal analysis. The enthalpy and the entropy of the hydrogen bond dissociation were determined by the Van't Hoff plot.

Synthesis and Properties of Chiral Polyurethane Elastomers Using Tartaric Acids

The polyaddition of isocyanate and polyol to form polyurethane elastomers has rarely been applied to the construction of chiral polyurethane elastomers. Hence, the introduction of chiral units via polyaddition remains a challenging subject in polymer chemistry. In this study, the synthesis of chiral polyurethane elastomers using an aromatic isocyanate, polyols (polyether and polyester polyols), and L(+)-, D(&#8722)-, or meso-tartaric acid by a one-shot method is investigated. The polymers are characterized using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, and their thermal properties are investigated by TGA, DMA, and DSC analyses. The optical activities of the polymers are confirmed by rotation. The use of chiral tartaric acids is essential to obtain the desired chiral polyurethane elastomers.

Influence of Diisocyanate on Polyurethane Elastomers Which Crosslinked by β-Cyclodextrin

A series of polyurethane elastomers (PUEs) were synthesized by using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as cross-linker from aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic diisocyanates, and polyol. The PUEs were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), swelling test, hardness test and tensile test. The influence of diisocyanate on microphase separation and properties of PUEs was evaluated.

Synthesis and Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers with Trehalose Units

In recent years, sugar-derived polymer materials have been actively investigated. In research of polyurethane (PU), sugar has been used as a raw material because it has properties similar to polyol. However, the elastic property of the obtained PU is substantially lost. Hence, the introduction of a sugar unit to PU while maintaining the elastic property remains a challenge in polymer chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis of a polyurethane elastomer (PUE) with a trehalose unit using raw materials such as an aromatic diisocyanate (4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate), polyols including a polyether polyol (polytetramethylene glycol), two polyester polyols (polycaprolactone and polycarbonate diol), and trehalose. Novel PUEs with trehalose units are synthesized by a one-shot method. Trehalose, which has non-reducing properties, is used as sugar. The use of trehalose, which has been scarcely applied to PUE, is essential to obtain the desired PUEs with sugar units.

Nanoindentation Measurements of Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers Which Crosslinked by β-Cyclodextrin

A series of PUEs which use β-CD as cross-linker were synthesized. Nanoindentation measurements of mechanical properties of these PUEs were made. Load and depth sensing indentation and nano DMA mode were used to evaluate mechanical properties of PUEs in nano-scale. The difference between the results from two modes proved the microphase separation in PUEs and to investigate PUE from hard domains and soft domains was of great significance.

Fire-retardant, anti-dripping, biodegradable and biobased polyurethane elastomers enabled by hydrogen-bonding with cellulose nanocrystals

Thermoplastic polyurethane(PU)elastomers have attracted significant attention because of their many important industrial applications.However,the creation of fire-retardant and anti-dripping PU elastomers has remained a grant challenge due to the lack of crosslinking and weak interchain interactions.Herein,we report a mechanically robust,biodegradable,fire-retardant,and anti-dripping biobased PU elastomer with excellent biodegradability using an abietic acid-based compound as hard segments and polycaprolactone diol(PCL)as soft segments,followed by physically crosslinking with cellulose nanocrystals(CNC)through dynamic hydrogen-bonding.The resultant elastomer shows the balanced mechanical and fire-retardant properties,e.g.,a tensile strength and break strain of 9.1 MPa and 560%,a self-extinguishing ability(V-0 rating in UL-94 testing),and an anti-dripping behavior.Moreover,the as-developed PU can be completely degraded in 1.0 wt.%lipase solution at 37℃ in 60 days,arising from the catalytic and wicking effect of CNC on PU chains.This work provides an innovative and versatile strategy for constructing robust,fire-retardant,anti-dripping,and biodegradable PU elastomers,which hold great promise for practical applications in electronic and automobile sectors.

Predicting the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers Using Machine Learning

Bridging the gap between the computation of mechanical properties and the chemical structure of elastomers is a long-standing challenge.To fill the gap,we create a raw dataset and build predictive models for Young’s modulus,tensile strength,and elongation at break of polyurethane elastomers(PUEs).We then construct a benchmark dataset with 50.4%samples remained from the raw dataset which suffers from the intrinsic diversity problem,through a newly proposed recursive data elimination protocol.The coefficients of determination(R^(2)s)from predictions are improved from 0.73-0.78 to 0.85-0.91 based on the raw and the benchmark datasets.The fitting of stress-strain curves using the machine learning model shows a slightly better performance than that for one of the well-performed constitutive models(e.g.,the Khiêm-Itskov model).It confirmed that the black-box machine learning models are feasible to bridge the gap between the mechanical properties of PUEs and multiple factors for their chemical structures,composition,processing,and measurement settings.While accurate prediction for these curves is still a challenge.We release the raw dataset and the most representative benchmark dataset so far to call for more attention to tackle the longstanding gap problem.

New method for measuring high field electrostrictive response of barium titanate/polyurethane elastomer

A new method for measuring the characteristic of electrostriction by a digital speckle correlation method （DSCM） is presented. The in-plane displacement is obtained by using the DSCM, and the out-plane displacement is obtained by the geometrical relation of the triangle theory. In this application, high field electrostrictive strains of barium titanate/polyurethane elastomer composite materials are measured. The electrostrictive strain is evaluated when the application of an electric field is repeated, and then the electrostrictive coefficient of the sample is obtained. To improve the measuring accuracy, the bilinear interpolation of gray value is used to obtain the sub-pixel gray value. The results are compared with those obtained from the surface fitting algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that the electrostrictive response of polyurethane increases with the introduction of barium titanate into polyurethane. And by using the DSCM, the measurement of the characteristic of electrostriction can be done quickly and accurately. The DSCM provides an effective tool for the evaluation of electrostrictive response.

Synthesis and Performance of Polyurethane Coated Urea as Slow/controlled Release Fertilizer

Polyurethane coated urea slow/controlled release fertilizer was prepared based on urea granules, isocyanate, polyols and paraffin. Isocyanate reacted with polyols to synthesize the polyurethane skin layer on urea granules surface. Paraffin serves as a lubricant during syntheses of polyurethane skin layers. The structure and nutrient release characteristics of the polyurethane skin layers were investigated by FTIR, SEM and TG. Urea nitrogen slow-release behavior of the polyurethane coated urea was tested. The experimental results indicated that compact and dense polyurethane skin layers with a thickness of 10-15 lam were formed on urea surface, the urea nitrogen slow-release time can reach 40-50 days. Paraffin proves to play a key role in inhibiting water to penetrate into urea, but excessive addition would decrease the polyurethane crosslinking density.

The Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Elastomer Reinforced and Toughened By CaSO_4-Whisker

CaSO 4 whisker reinforcing and toughening mechanisms for polyurethane elastomer were studied. The effects of dispersity of CaSO 4 whisker and interfacial bonding state on reinforcement and toughness were discussed.The microanalyses showed that CaSO 4 whisker reinforcing mechanism for polyurethane elastomer mainly was load transferring and its toughening mechanism involved crack deflection and whisker pullout.The results indicated that composites with 5%-10% CaSO 4 whisker exhibited the best mechanical properties. Good bonding interface was formed between whisker and matrix after the surface of CaSO 4 whisker was treated by silane coupling agent.The fairly improved strength and toughness are attributed to the better interfacial bonding state.

Cold Resistant Properties of High Modulus Polyurethane

Six kinds of polyurethane （PU） elastomers were prepared based on different polyesters, polyethers and chain extenders. The structure, mechanical properties and cold resistant properties of PU were systematically investigated by FTIR, XRD, DMTA,universal testing machine and flex ductility machine. The results show that Tg of soft segment is the main factor of the cold resistant properties of polyurethane elastomer. Compared with the same relative molecular mass of the polyester and the polyether, the polyether flexibility is better, the glass transition temperature （Tg） is lower and the cold resistant properties is remarkable, for example the cold resistant properties of PU based on poly （tetramethylene glycol）, 1, 4-BG and MDI achieves the fifth level. The physics performances of polyurethane elastomers, such as breakdown strength, Young＇s modulus and the cold resistant properties, are all superior.

Preparation and Analysis of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of HTPB-type Polyurethane Elastomer Containing Paraffin Microcapsules

Two microcapsules with different paraffin phase changes were prepared using styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer and melamine resin as the capsule wall and paraffin(with a melting point of 50°C)as the capsule core.The microcapsules were directly added to the hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene(HTPB)-polyurethane elastomer system to fabricate the polyurethane elastomer composites.The thermodynamic stability and mechanical properties of the material were then studied.The results show that the thermal stability of the polyurethane elastomer does not decrease after adding paraffin phase change microcapsules,and the thermal stability of the polyurethane elastomer with melamine resin as the wall increases.Tensile strength increased from 367 kPa to 797 kPa,and compression strength increased from 245.9 N to 344.7 N.In addition,capsule walls comprised different monomers/paraffin microcapsules of the copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene.The optimal mechanical property was obtained at a monomer/paraffin ratio of 1:1.The compression strength increased and the tensile strength decreased.The tensile strength of the microcapsule with melamine resin capsule wall and the compression strength of the microcapsule with polystyrene capsule wall were considerably improved.

Research on the Dynamic Compressibility of Polyurethane Microcellular Elastomer and its Application for Impact Resistance

The packaging materials with cushioning performance are used to prevent the internal contents from being damaged by the impact and vibration of external forces.The polyurethane microcellular elastomers(PUMEs)can absorb energy through cell collapse and molecular chain creep.In this study,PUMEs with different densities were investigated by scanning electron microscopy,dynamic mechanical analysis and dynamic compression tests.PUMEs exhibited significant im pact resistance and the maximum peak stress attenuation ratio reached 73.33%.The protective equipment was made by PUME with the optimal density of 600 kg/m^(3),and then the acceleration sensing device installed with the same protective equipment fell from a height of 3,5 and 10 m to evaluate the energy-absorbing property and reusability of PUMEs.The results showed that PUMEs equipment reduced the peak acceleration of the device by 93.84%,with a maximum deviation of 9%between actual test and simulation,and shortened the impact time of first landing by 57.39%.In addition,the equipment PUMEs equipment could effectively reduce the stress on the protected items.

Finite Element Analysis for the Structure Optimization Design of the CPUE Load-Bearing Wheel of Tracked Vehicle

A new kind of material cast polyurethane elastomers (CPUE) is introduced to take the place of rubber on load bearing wheel for the first time. Based on load bearing wheel dimensions, material properties and operating conditions, the structure of wheel flange is optimized by zero order finite element method. A detailed three dimensional finite element model of flange of load bearing wheel is developed and utilized to optimize structure of wheel flange. Its service life, which is affected by flange structure parameter, is analyzed by comparing the optimization results with those of prototype of wheel. The results of optimization are presented and the stress field of load bearing wheel in optimal dimension obtained by using finite element analysis method is demonstrated. The finite element analysis and optimization results show that the CPUE load bearing wheel is feasible and suitable for the tracked vehicle and has a guiding value in practice of the weighting design of the whole tracked vehicle.

Synthesis and Characterization of Crystallizable Aliphatic Thermoplastic Poly(ester urethane) Elastomers through a Non-isocyanate Route

A simple non-isocyanate route is developed for synthesizing crystallizable aliphatic thermoplastic poly（ester urethane） elastomers （TPEURs） with good thermal and mechanical properties. Three prepolymers of 1,6-bis（hydroxyethyloxycarbonylamino） hexane （BHCH）, i.e. PrePBHCHs, were prepared through the self-transurethane polycondensation of BHCH. A poly（butylene adipate） prepolymer （PrePBA） with terminal HO-- groups was prepared and used as a polyester glycol. A series of TPEURs were prepared by the co-polycondensation of the PrePBHCHs with PrePBA at 170 ℃under a reduced pressure of 399 Pa. The TPEURs were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, FTIR, 1H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and tensile test. The TPEURs exhibited Mn up to 23300 g/mol, Mw up to 51100 g/mol, Tg ranging from -33.8 ℃ to -3.1 ℃, Tm from 94.3 ℃ to 111.9 ℃, initial decomposition temperature over 274.7℃, tensile strength up to18.8 MPa with a strain at break of 450.0%, and resilience up to 77.5%. TPU elastomers with good crystallization and mechanical properties were obtained through a non-isocyanate route.

Analytical and Numerical Investigation on the Penetration Resistance of PUE/Honeycomb Aluminum Composite Structures

In this study,the penetration resistance of a polyurethane elastomer(PUE)/honeycomb aluminum composite structure was investigated.A finite element analysis model was constructed to predict the residual velocity of the projectile after penetrating the PUE/honeycomb aluminum composite structure,and the accuracy of the model was verified through experiments.Both the residual velocity of the projectile and the failure appearance of the target plate were accurately predicted by the model.In addition,the Cowper-Symonds model was used to describe the material properties of the PUE layer,effectively simulating the damage appearance of the PUE layer after penetration.Subsequently,based on the validated model,three different configurations of the PUE/honeycomb aluminum composite structure were designed on the basis of the original honeycomb aluminum composite structure with a polyurethane elastomer coating,maintaining constant mass of the composite structure,and the ballistic performance was predicted using the finite element model.The anti-penetration performance of the PUE/honeycomb aluminum composite structure was analyzed by examining the velocity changes of the projectile,the energy changes of each component,and the crushing of the honeycomb core layer.Finally,the influence of different projectile shapes on the ultimate ballistic performance of the structure was studied,and the reasons for the influence of warhead shape on the appearance of target plate failure were analyzed.

Thermal properties of polyurethane elastomer with different flexible molecular chain based on para-phenylene diisocyanate

This work focuses on the relationship between flexibility of molecular chains and thermal properties of polyurethane elastomer（PUE）, which laid the foundation of further research about how to improve thermal properties of PUE. A series of PUE samples with different flexibility of molecular chains was prepared by using 1,4-butanediol（1,4-BDO）/bisphenol-a（BPA） blends with different mole ratios including9/1, 8/2, 7/3, 6/4 and 5/5. As comparison, PUE extended with pure 1,4-BDO and BPA was also synthesized.These samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）, thermogravimetric analysis（TGA）, dynamic mechanical analysis（DMA）, etc. The results showed that with the decrease in flexibility of molecular chains the glass transition temperature（Tg） increased and low-temperature properties became worse. Besides, all samples had a certain degree of microphase separation, and soft segments in some samples were crystallized, i.e. the decreasing flexibility of molecular chains led to the impossibility of chains tightly packing and crystalline domains forming so that the degree of microphase separation decreased and the thermal properties became worse.

Boosting fire safety and mechanical performance of thermoplastic polyurethane by the face-to-face two-dimensional phosphorene/MXene architecture

Black phosphorus(BP), as one of the most promising fillers for flame retarding polymer, has been seriously limited in practical application, due to the agglomeration and poor structural stability challenges.Here, the BP was modified by MXene and polydopamine(PDA) via ultrasonication and dopamine modification strategy to improve the structural stability and dispersibility in the matrix. Then, the obtained(BP-MXene@PDA) nanohybrid was employed to promote the mechanical performance, thermal stability,and flame retardancy of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer(TPU). The resultant TPU composite containing 2 wt.% of BP1-MXene2@PDA showed a 19.2% improvement in the tensile strength and a 13.8%increase in the elongation at break compared to those of the pure TPU. The thermogravimetric analysis suggested that BP-MXene@PDA clearly enhances the thermal stability of TPU composites. Furthermore,the introduction of the BP-MXene@PDA nanohybrids could considerably improve the flame retardancy of TPU composite, i.e., 64.2% and 27.3% decrease in peak heat release rate and total heat release, respectively. The flame-retardant mechanisms of TPU/BP-MXene@PDA in the gas phase and condensed phase were investigated systematically. This work provides a novel strategy to simultaneously enhance the fire safety and mechanical properties of TPU, thus expanding its industrial applications.

Microstructure and properties of cerium oxide/polyurethane elastomer composites

In general, inorganic filler/polyurethane elastomer(PUE) composites possess favorable properties, such as modulus, chemical resistance, and heat stability, are promising for broadening the application area of polyurethanes(PU). For the experiments, a series of cerium oxide(CeO_(2))/PUE composites were prepared with different sizes and appearance of CeO_(2), and different mixing methods as well. CeO_(2) particles with different sizes were added into PUs during the formation of urethane linkage and the chain-extend process, respectively. The morphology along with mechanical properties, thermal properties of the composites were studied. The results suggest that the size of CeO_(2) and mixing methods influence the microstructure of PUs which has profound effect on properties of these composites. The composites tend to form more quantity of hard domains(HDs) with small size when CeO_(2) particles were added before the formation of urethane linkage, whereas Ce O2 particles increase the size of HDs when added with chain extender into PU prepolymer.