Thermomechanical studies of semicrystalline polyether–ester copolymers. Effect of thermal, mechanical, and solvent treatment

Abstract

AbstractThe thermomechanical spectra of a series of elastoplastic polyether–ester copolymers were determined at 110 Hz and between −120°C and 200°C at five compositions. Emphasis was given to samples containing an increasing amount of poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) constituting the hard segment in these copolymers. The effects of thermal history, uniaxial drawing, and solvent absorption were examined. Specimens cut from injection‐molded slabs were also included in the study. Thermal and mechanical treatment had an important effect on the dynamic mechanical properties. The relaxation spectra do not indicate distinct phase separation, but rather a structure of closely interacting hard and soft segments. The molecular origin of the various relaxations was characterized, and it is shown that as the amount of the hard component increases, features in the relaxation spectrum characteristic of poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) become prominent.