An investigation of the morphology-wear performance relationships in polyetherpolyurethane thermoplastic elastomers

Three polyetherpolyurethanes of known chemistry and mechanical properties were characterized by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance and small angle X-ray scattering in order to examine their morphologies. Polyetherpolyurethanes consist of hard and soft segments which can phase separate if the percentage of hard segment is large enough. It is postulated that the degree of phase separation which dictates morphology is of primary importance to the wear behaviour of these materials. In an attempt to establish this relationship, the effect of a three hour anneal at 155 ± 5 ° C on the morphologies and abrasion resistance of injection moulded samples is being investigated.