Infrared linear dichroism study of a hydrolytically degraded poly(ester urethane)

Abstract

Static and dynamic infrared linear dichroism data have been used to supply additional insight into changes in tensile properties as a consequence of hydrolytic degradation of a segmented poly(ester urethane). Unaged material responds to tensile deformation with the soft (polyester) segments supplying the elasticity and the hard (polyurethane) segments supplying strength. Upon hydrolytic degradation, the static and dynamic data indicate altered orientational responses at the molecular-level, which are interpreted as resulting from cleavage of the soft segment chains and altered hydrogen-bonding interactions for both segments.