Phase separation in segmented poly(urethane urea) copolymers during reaction injection molding (RIM) polymerization

Abstract

In situ experiments were performed with a portable RIM (reaction injection molding) minimachine interfaced to an FTIR spectrophotometer to follow the reaction chemistry and monitor phase separation of copoly(urethane urea)s during RIM polymerization. The PUU copolymers were based on ethylene oxide-capped poly(propylene oxide) polyether diol, 3,5-diethyltoluenediamine (DETDA), and uretonimine liquefied 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. The effect of catalyst concentration on the degree of phase separation in the as-molded RIM PUU copolymers was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetery and scanning electron microscopy as supplementary methods. The results suggested that an increase of degree of phase separation and a decrease of the size of hard-segment-rich domains take place with a rise of catalyst concentration. The morphological feature was a consequence in combination with the increase in relative rate of urethane formation and the ordering of hydrogen bonding through urea groups. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 865–873, 1997.