Morphology and Properties of Segmented Polyether Poly(urethane-urea-amide)

Segmented polyether poly(urethane-urea-amide) (PEUUA)s containing poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) segments of various molecular weights were synthesized and their morphology and properties were characterized in comparison with the conventional segmented polyether poly(urethane-urea) (PEUU). PEUUAs consisted of two incompatible segments, soft segments with the repeating units of PPO and urethane group, and hard segments composed of urea and amide groups. Characterization of PEUUA was carried out by small-angle X-ray scattering, dynamic mechanical, tensile, and hysteresis measurements. A comparison of PEUUA and PEUU indicated that PEUUA had higher mechanical strength and hysteresis values. These favorable features were considered due to the hard domains composed of strongly hydrogen bonded segments dispersed in the matrix of the soft segments, resulting in hard domain interconnectivity.