Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful in the production of spandex are produced by chain extending an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with a diamine chain extender that includes: (1) from about 7 to 25 equivalent percent of an asymmetric aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic diamine and (2) a linear diamine such as ethylene diamine in the presence of a solvent. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is produced by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component that includes: (1) from about 10 to about 70 equivalent percent of a polyoxypropylene diol having a molecular weight in excess of 1500 Da and an average unsaturation level no greater than about 0.03 meq/g and (2) from about 30 to about 90 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight of at least 600 Da.

Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful in the production of spandex are produced by chain extending an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer in the presence of a solvent. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is formed by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component that includes more than 50 equivalent percent of a high molecular weight polyoxyalkylene diol having an unsaturation level no greater than about 0.015 meq/g and up to about 50 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol.

Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful for the production of spandex are produced by chain extending, in the presence of a solvent, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer prepared by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component which includes: (1) from about 5 to about 30 equivalent percent of a polyoxy-propylene diol having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and an unsaturation level less than or equal to 0.03 meq/g; (2) from about 20 to about 60 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight less than 1000 Da; and (3) from about 25 to about 65 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1000 Da.

Abstract: A polyol composition having a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 3,000 Daltons is made up of (1) at least 60% by weight of a low monol polyoxypropylene polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to 12,000 Da and a degree of unsaturation less than or equal to 0.02 meq/g and (2) no more than 40% by weight of a polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 1,000 Da and a polydispersity index greater than 1.1. This polyol composition is reacted with a diisocyanate, a polyisocyanate, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer or an isocyanate-terminated quasi-prepolymer to produce polyurethane elastomers having good physical and mechanical properties. Any of the known processes for producing polyurethane elastomers, including one-shot processes, may be used to produce elastomers in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Elastomers with improved physical properties, particularly hardness, resilience, tear strength, and compression set, may be prepared by the chain extension or moisture cure of isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from a polyol component comprising a high molecular weight, low unsaturation polyoxypropylene diol and a low molecular weight diol. The elastomers are useful for applications such as rollers and other applications for which these physical properties are important.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene polyols containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof as are produced during the preparation of polyoxyalkylene polyols by the double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation of a suitably functional hydric initiator are stable without catalyst removal. Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from such polyols are surprisingly viscosity-stable relative to similar prepolymers prepared from polyols not containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene polyols containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof as are produced during the preparation of polyoxyalkylene polyols by the double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation of a suitably functional hydric initiator are stable without catalyst removal. Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from such polyols are surprisingly viscosity-stable relative to similar prepolymers prepared from polyols not containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof.

Abstract: Spandex-type segmented polyurethane/urea elastomers having exceptional elongation, hysteresis, recovery, and other physical properties are prepared by the amine chain extension of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer prepared by the reaction of a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate with a polyol blend comprising a low molecular weight diol having a molecular weight below 750 Da with a high molecular weight glycol which may be a 1500 Da to 20,000 Da molecular weight, ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene glycol with an unsaturation of less than about 0.010 meq/g.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene polyols containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof as are produced during the preparation of polyoxyalkylene polyols by the double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation of a suitably functional hydric initiator are stable without catalyst removal. Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from such polyols are surprisingly viscosity-stable relative to similar prepolymers prepared from polyols not containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof.

Abstract: Spandex-type polyurethane/urea segmented elastomers with exceptional physical properties may be prepared by the aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic diamine chain extension of a solution of isocyanate-terminated polyoxypropylene diol-derived prepolymer wherein the diol component comprises in major part an ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene diol having an unsaturation of less than about 0.010 meq/g and a number average molecular weight greater than 2000 Da. The spandex polymers have commercially desirable percent set and are capable of exceeding the properties of the industry standard PTMEG elastomers in many respects, particularly in elongation and hysteresis.

Abstract: Spandex-type segmented polyurethane/urea elastomers having exceptional elongation, hysteresis, recovery, and other physical properties are prepared by the amine chain extension of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer prepared by the reaction of a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate with a polyol blend comprising a low molecular weight diol having a molecular weight below 750 Da with a high molecular weight glycol which may be a 1500 Da to 20,000 Da molecular weight, ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene glycol with an unsaturation of less than about 0.010 meq/g.

Abstract: Elastomers with improved physical properties, particularly hardness and rebound, may be prepared by the diamine chain extension or moisture cure of low isocyanate group content, toluene diisocyanate-based prepolymers prepared from a polyol component comprising a high molecular weight, low unsaturation polyoxypropylene diol and a low molecular weight diol. The elastomers are useful for applications such as rollers and other applications where hardness and rebound are important.

Abstract: Substitution of from 5 to 50 equivalent percent of an ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene diol for PTMEG in isocyanate-terminated prepolymers used in spandex production is found to lower considerably both prepolymer viscosity and hysteresis while substantially retaining other desirable physical properties. Such products may offer higher fiber production rates than are possible while employing an all PTMEG-derived polymer.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers of improved elongation, tensile strength and other physical properties are prepared from a polyol component containing a crystallizable polyol and from 5 to 35 equivalent percent of a low monol polyoxypropylene polyol by one-shot, quasiprepolymer, and preferably, by prepolymer techniques involving chain extension with an aliphatic diol or aromatic amine.