Abstract: Novel segmented polyurethaneurea copolymers were synthesized using a poly(ethylene-butylene)glycol based soft segment. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) established the presence of a microphase-separated structure in which hard microdomains are dispersed throughout a soft segment matrix. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results suggest the materials are amorphous. Samples that are made with HMDI/DY and have hard segment contents in the range of 16-23 wt % surprisingly exhibit near-linear mechanical deformation behavior in excess of 600% elongation. They also show very high levels of recoverability even though their hysteresis is also considerable. The materials are both melt processable and solution processable.

Abstract: A segmented copolymer can be produced without needing a chain extender. The conventional view that a chain extender was needed to construct a segmnented copolymer has been disproven. For example, by certain reactions of a diisocyanate with oligomeric and polymeric diols or diamines, segmented copolymers can be produced without needing a chain extender. Segmented copolymers not containing ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and ethylene diamine can be produced.