Effect of Soft Segment Structure on Thermal Properties and Stability of Polyurethanes

In this work, novel polyurethanes (PUs) based on poly (glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PGC) macrodiols with glycolide to ε-caprolactone (GA:CL) ratios of (50:50 (PU-50) and 30:70 (PU-30)) were synthesized. Thermal behavior and thermal stability of these polymers were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of DSC indicated that PU-50 has lower Tg (soft segment glass transition temperature). Both the polymers showed two step degradation mechanisms corresponding to the urethane and the ester groups. Additionally, the PU-50 showed higher degradation temperature due to higher amount of soft segments.

Keywords:

Polyurethane , Poly (glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) , Thermal Stability