Premium
Segmented block copolymers based on liquid natural rubber
Author(s) -
Ravindran T.,
Nayar M. R. Gopinathan,
Francis D. Joseph
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1991.070420204
Subject(s) - copolymer , natural rubber , absorption of water , materials science , ethylene oxide , elastomer , composite material , polymer , polymer chemistry , self healing hydrogels , block (permutation group theory) , chemical engineering , geometry , mathematics , engineering
Segmented block copolymers were prepared from hydroxyl‐terminated liquid natural rubber (HTNR) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Toluene 2,4 diisocyanate (TDI) was used as the coupling agent for combining both types of segments. Keeping the molecular weight of HTNR constant, a series of materials were prepared using PEO with varying molecular weights. Their thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated. With increasing the PEO content, the properties vary from soft to rigid elastomers and rubber‐toughened plastics. This variation in properties is caused by the changes in the sample morphology, which depends on the relative fractions of the hard and soft segments. Water absorption capability of these block copolymers was determined. Hydrogels with water content approximately up to 80% were obtained.