Urethan Rubber from a Polyether Glycol. Properties of Raw Polymer and Vulcanizates

Abstract

In recent years, the synthesis of polymers by reacting organic diisocyanates with compounds containing two or more active hydrogens has been studied extensively. Much of the pioneering work on the chemistry of organic polyisocyanates and their reaction products was carried out by Du Pont chemists. The products were fibers, elastomers, and plastomeric solids. In Great Britain, research of the Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., was directed toward the reaction of polyesteramides with organic diisocyanates to produce vulcanizable polymeric plasticizers, designated Vulcaprenes. In Germany, Bayer and co-workers developed the elastomer known as Vulcollan through their study of the reaction of polyester glycols with organic diisocyanates. Recently, interest in isocyanate-based addition polymers has been stimulated by the commercial availability of a number of polyisocyanates. An elastomer, Chemigum-SL polyester-urethan, was announced by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1953. Both Vulcollan and Chemigum-SL are addition polymers of polyester glycols and organic diisocyanates, and both exhibit outstanding toughness and abrasion resistance relative to GR-S or natural rubber. Adiprene-B urethan rubber is a new addition polymer. It differs from other diisocyanate elastomers in that its polymeric segments are aliphatic polyethers rather than polyesters. Adiprene-B is a distinctive elastomer which combines in a single product high strength, abrasion resistance, solvent and ozone resistance, and excellent low-temperature properties.