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Segmented polyether ester copolymers—A new generation of high performance thermoplastic elastomers
Author(s) -
Hoeschele G. K.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760141207
Subject(s) - materials science , thermoplastic elastomer , copolymer , polymer , elastomer , thermoplastic , transesterification , polyester , amorphous solid , ether , compounding , dimethyl terephthalate , hardening (computing) , composite material , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , chemistry , layer (electronics)
This paper reviews a series of high‐melting thermoplastic polyether esters prepared by transesterification from dimethyl terephthalate, polytetramethylene ether glycol (MW 600–2000), and 1,4‐butanediol. The resulting copolyesters exhibit a two‐phase domain structure consisting of amorphous polyether ester soft segments and crystalline tetramethylene terephthalate hard segments. By proper selection of the relative amounts of soft and hard segments, polymers ranging from relatively soft elastomers to impact resistant elastoplastics may be obtained. The preparation, polymer structure as well as the physical and environmental properties of polyether esters are discussed. The combination of good melt flow properties, excellent melt stability, and rapid hardening rates permits the processing of these polymers by a wide variety of methods. The excellent processing characteristics in conjunction with the unusual physical and mechanical properties of segmented polyether esters has led to their wide acceptance.