Effect of rigid segment content on the physical, mechanical, chemical and morphological properties of microcellular polyurethane elastomers

In this study, three different microcellular polyurethane elastomers (MPUE) based on 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) with different rigid segment contents were prepared (Formulations 1, 2 and 3 with 32, 35 and 42% of rigid segment content, respectively). The MPUE were obtained through a two-step method using the prepolymer system. The samples were analyzed to determine their physical, mechanical, morphological and chemical properties. The results showed that a greater rigid segment content gave higher tensile, compressive and tear strength values. The deformation at break did not show significant changes with a variation in the rigid segment content. The MPUE had a low swelling index in common industrial solvents. However, in acetone a high swelling index was observed. The SEM micrographs indicated a large number of closed cells, and that a higher rigid segment content gave a better cell homogeneity of the samples.