Synthesis and thermal and mechanical properties of nonisocyanate poly(ether urethane) thermoplastic elastomers containing dibutylene terephthalate and poly(tetramethylene ether) segments

Several novel semiaromatic poly(ether urethane) thermoplastic elastomers were synthesized through a nonisocyanate route. The nonisocyanate thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (NI-TPUEs) were prepared via a transurethane polycondensation of bis(hydroxyethyl) hexanediurethane with bis(4-hydroxybutyl) terephthalate and poly(tetramethylene glycol)s under a reduced pressure of 3 mmHg at 170°C. The NI-TPUEs were fully characterized. The influence of hard segment (HS) contents on thermal and mechanical properties was studied. Gel permeation chromatography characterization demonstrated that high molecular weight of NI-TPUEs was obtained. Wide-angle X-ray scattering and thermal characterization verified that NI-TPUEs were crystallizable and had a relatively high melting point. Atomic force microscopy exhibited microphase separation between the crystallized HSs and amorphous phases. High content of HSs and flexible poly(tetramethylene ether) soft segments leads to good crystallization, excellent mechanical property, and good resilience of NI-TPUEs.