Influence of the molecular mass of soft segments on the thermodynamic stability and physicomechanical properties of plasticized polyether urethane

Abstract

The physicomechanical properties and thermodynamic stability of segmented polyether urethane containing poly(tetramethylene oxide) segments of different molecular masses (М ∼ 1000, 1400, 1950) and plasticized with di(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate were analyzed in relation to the molecular mass of the soft segments, and the glass transition point of the soft phase of the polymer was determined. Based on the results obtained, a rapid method was suggested for experimental determination of the osmotic pressure (up to ∼1000 kPa) in the polymer–plasticizer system. The possibilities of preparing thermodynamically stable plasticized materials of high strength (up to 22–26 MPa) with the glass transition point as low as–95 to–100°С were demonstrated.