Low temperature dynamic mechanical properties of polyurethane‐polyether block copolymers

Abstract

Abstract Dynamical mechanical relaxation spectra of a number of polyurethane‐polyether block copolymers have been studied as a function of composition, temperature and frequency. At low temperatures these copolymers are characterized by a high glass‐like modulus which decreases to a much lower typically elastomeric value in a narrow temperature range. The latter is a function in certain cases of the composition of the polymer. The rubbery plateau is maintained up to at least 140°C. In addition, a secondary relaxation is observed around −130°C. These observations can be interpreted in terms of an overall structure consisting of a polyether matrix containing segregated polyurethane domains, the latter serving as physical crosslinks in the system at ambient temperatures and above.