Aliphatic polyurethane elastomers with high performance properties

Abstract

Abstract A new diisocyanate, 1,4‐eyclohexane diisocyanate (CHDI), has been used in a series of polyether‐based polyurethane elastomers. The slightly opaque samples are semicrystalline in nature with high performance properties, including high softening temperature, very good thermal stability, high tensile and tear strengths, excellent solvent resistance, and low hysteresis in compressive fatigue. Polymer properties are in part due to the small, compact, symmetrical structure of the aliphatic CHDI. Comparison of the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polyurethanes prepared from the aliphatic diisocyanate 4,4′‐dicyclohexylmethane dilsocyanate (H 12 MDI) reveal the H 12 MDI polymers to be more flexible and transparent elastomers with lower softening temperatures and tensile moduli and higher hysteretic heat build up. They are generally soluble in organic solvents.