Rendering polyureas melt processible
(2461–2467)Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer  Chemistry 49 #11 (2011)
Kang, Erdodi and Kennedy of the University of Akron, Ohio, showed that by using conventional chain extenders (CEs) in combination with small amounts of H-bond acceptor chain extenders (HACEs), the Tflow of polyureas can be significantly reduced from 230 to 180 °C, and thus melt processible products with excellent mechanical properties can be obtained.  Polytetramethylene oxide-based and polyisobutylene (PIB)-based polyureas with Tflow 180 °C were synthesized with excellent mechanicals by the addition of few percents of commercially available HACEs.  A micromorphology for melt processible polyureas is proposed that emphasizes flexibilized hard segments in the presence of HACEs.  (RDC 4/22/2011)