Detailed Study of Polyacrylourethane Based Oligomers From PTMEG / Aliphatic Isocyanates For Fiber Optic Applications

摘要

The use of polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) in polyurethanes is well known due to the properties such as tensile strength and high elongation, which it provides. In principle, any diisocyanate can be used, although, aliphatic isocyanates are preferred over aromatic isocyanates to a great extent. The effect of the structure of the isocyanate on the properties of the oligomers for fiber optic application was examined by considering commercially available PTMEG's of different molecular weights. Within this study, fifteen oligomers derived from isophorone, trimethylhexamethylene and hexamethylene diisocyanates were made and evaluated. Physical properties were evaluated by viscosity (η), refractive index and GPC. The cure characteristics of the oligomers were determined via Real Time FTIR. The mechanical properties of polyacrylourethanes were evaluated before and after aging in oxidative and hydrolytic environments. The present study indicates that one has to trade-off material properties between various oligomers to achieve the best combination of properties.