ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

The influence of chemical structure on thermal properties and surface morphology of polyurethane materials

Joanna Brzeska, Magda Morawska, Aleksandra Heimowska, Wanda Sikorska, Wojciech Wałach, Anna Hercog, Marek Kowalczuk, and Maria Rutkowska

Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland

E-mail: j.brzeska@wpit.am.gdynia.pl

Abstract: The surface morphology and thermal properties of polyurethanes can be correlated to their chemical composition. The hydrophilicity, surface morphology, and thermal properties of polyurethanes (differed in soft segments and in linear/cross-linked structure) were investigated. The influence of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) presence in soft segments and blending of polyurethane with polylactide on surface topography were also estimated. The linear polyurethanes (partially crystalline) had the granular surface, whereas the surface of cross-linked polyurethanes (almost amorphous) was smooth. Round aggregates of polylactide un-uniformly distributed in matrix of polyurethane were clearly visible. It was concluded that some modification of soft segment (by mixing of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) with different polydiols and polytriol) and blending of polyurethanes with small amount of polylactide influence on crystallinity and surface topography of obtained polyurethanes.

Keywords: Polyurethane structure ; Polymer blends ; Thermal properties ; Surface morphology 

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-017-0358-6

Chemical Papers 72 (5) 1249–1256 (2018)