Platicizer effect on network structure and hydrolytic degradation

The hydrolytic degradation of fully cured polyester-urethane networks polymerized in the presence of several weight ratios of triacetin was monitored by the residual concentration in elastically active chains obtained from modulus and equilibrium solvent swelling measurements. The presence of triacetin does not change the water uptake but induces a lower rate of degradation. Comparisons were performed with networks in which triacetin was removed before ageing, and with networks in which polyester-urethane was first polymerized and then impregnated by triacetin. Data suggest that the presence of triacetin during polymerization induces the presence of elastically inactive chains such as dangling chains, loops… the hydrolysis of which does not change the elastic properties of the network. This explanation was checked from relaxation measurements by n.m.r and d.m.a, and by the analysis of the soluble fraction generated by hydrolysis.