Dynamic mechanical and water sorption behaviour of ordered polyurethanes

Abstract Ordered polyurethanes were made from two diisocyanates (DI), mesogenic diol (D) and a polybutadiene diol (B) with stoichiometric ratios of reactive hydroxy and isocyanate groups. Two-(D/DI) and three-component ((D+B)/DI, D/B=1/1 by weight) polymers were prepared and their DSC, dynamic mechanical and water sorption behaviour was investigated. In two-component polymers nematic and smectic mesophases were found. Three-component systems exhibit two-phase structure with soft polybutadiene and hard polyurethane (formed from D and DI) phase; in the polyurethane phase, mesophases are formed.