Synthesis and properties of polyurethane/graphite elastomer by in situ technique

Elastomeric polyurethane (PU) was mixed with 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt% of graphite to obtain PUE‐based composites. The structure of PU/graphite elastomer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the polyurethane elastomer (PUE) molecular chains were intercalated into the graphite layers and evenly distributed in the matrix. When the graphite content was lower it could make full use of its strength with some loss of plasticity; when the graphite content was too high, the friction between graphite and PUE increased and hence it is more difficult for the macromolecular chain reaction. The polymer was more unstable as a whole. Furthermore, the thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained products were investigated in detail. The result showed that the thermal stability of PUE was improved by the introduction of the graphite. The softening temperature of the PUE/graphite containing 10% graphite was 11°C higher than that of pure PUE. At the same time, the hardness, tensile strength, elongation, 300% tensile modulus, tearing strength of PU/graphite elastomer were also investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1318–1322, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers