Thermoplastic polyurethane composition

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane material that has high flex modulus, low density, and is capable of withstanding repeated cyclic deformation. The thermoplastic polyurethane composition is formed from the reaction product of a polyol component, which includes a blend of a polyether polyol, such as poly(tetramethylene ether glycol), and polybutadiene diol, a diisocyanate component, and a chain extender component.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The utility of thermoplastic polyurethane materials for a variety of applications is being appreciated in many new industries. However, it is often difficult to find a single thermoplastic polyurethane composition that has combinations of properties that are suited for certain applications. For example, many applications will require high modulus and hardness, but also the ability to withstand cyclic deformations and varying temperature ranges. Often polyamide-co-polyethers are used for these applications because they have high flex modulus, low density, and good low temperature fatigue resistance. However, thermoplastic polyurethane compositions that have high flex modulus lack low temperature cyclic fatigue behavior and are undesirably heavy. One reason for this is because in order to achieve the high flex modulus, the hard segment content of the thermoplastic polyurethane is increased, which also increases density and glass transition temperature. The higher densi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a special material called thermoplastic polyurethane composition. It is made by mixing different types of polyol components (tightly connected to diisocyanate components) together. Examples of polyols include poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) and polybutadiene polyol. The polyol component may also contain a mixture of poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) and polybutadiene polyol or poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) and unsaturated polybutadiene polyol. The composition may also include a chain extender component. The invention also includes articles made from this special material.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is often difficult to find a single thermoplastic polyurethane composition that has combinations of properties that are suited for certain applications.

However, thermoplastic polyurethane compositions that have high flex modulus lack low temperature cyclic fatigue behavior and are undesirably heavy.

The higher density and glass transition temperatures result in less desirable performance when subject to cyclic deformations.