Synthesis of HMDI-based segmented polyurethanes and their use in the manufacture of elastomeric composites for cardiovascular applications

Abstract

For short-term cardiovascular application, segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) based on 4,4-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (HMDI), polytetramethylenglycol (PTMG) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy (FT-IR, ¹H-NMR) and thermal (TGA, DMA, DSC) and mechanical techniques. The segmented nature of the SPUs was not easily established by spectroscopic means; however, TGA allowed the quantification of the rigid segments content by the significant mass loss between 348 and 356°C. The alpha transition was detected by DMA and related to the T _g of the soft segments at –50°C, while DSC showed the presence of an endothermic transition above 80°C attributed to the melting of rigid segments. Two types of composites were prepared using the synthesized SPUs and Lycra^® (either T162B or T162C). The first one consisted of a two layers casting laminated while the second one was a classic unidirectional fibre-reinforced material. Laminate composites prepared with SPU containing 23.9% and 33.9% of rigid segments and Lycra^® T162C exhibited a higher tensile modulus but lower tensile strength than composites prepared with Tecoflex^® SG-80A (39.7% of rigid segments). The energy of adhesion between layers on these composites ranged from 475 to 2150 J. Fibre-reinforced SPUs exhibited higher moduli than the two layer laminated composites with increasing amounts of rigid segments in the matrix and by increasing Lycra^® T162C content (up to 10%). This behaviour was explained by SEM, which showed a good fibre-matrix bonding.

Keywords:

• SEGMENTED POLYURETHANE
• ELASTOMERS
• COMPOSITES
• CARDIOVASCULAR