Structural characterization of elastomeric segmented polyurethanes under uniaxial deformation

Abstract

The segmented structure of polyurethane elastomers (PU) is an interesting feature to desing super-tough energy absorbing materials. Understanding the role of segment architecture on the morphology of oriented PU specimens is important to understand the reinforcing mechanism within the material. In this work we present different methodologies employed in the structural characterization of segmented polyurethanes with different macromolecular architecture. It is discussed the type of information obtained with each technique as function of the nature of the different PUs constituent blocks.