Virginia Tech
    • Log in
    View Item 
    •   VTechWorks Home
    • ETDs: Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Doctoral Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   VTechWorks Home
    • ETDs: Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Doctoral Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Characterization of Structure-Property Relationships of Poly(urethane-urea)s for Fiber Applications

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    title_abstract_TOC_TOF.pdf (80.47Kb)
    Downloads: 183
    chapter_1.pdf (12.70Kb)
    Downloads: 131
    chapter_2.pdf (897.9Kb)
    Downloads: 764
    chapter_3.pdf (168.3Kb)
    Downloads: 467
    chapter_4.pdf (976.0Kb)
    Downloads: 649
    chapter_5.pdf (538.2Kb)
    Downloads: 348
    chapter_6.pdf (831.7Kb)
    Downloads: 1468
    chapter_7.pdf (137.9Kb)
    Downloads: 133
    chapter_8.pdf (1.997Mb)
    Downloads: 1152
    chapter_9.pdf (20.66Kb)
    Downloads: 118
    Date
    2002-01-18
    Author
    O'Sickey, Matthew J.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Poly(urethane)s and poly(urethane-urea)s (PUU) are nearly ubiquitous, having been in existence since before the Second World War. Spandex, a poly(urethane-urea) elastomeric fiber, is found in nearly all articles of apparel as well as in an increasing array of other consumer items. The technology and chemistry of spandex is largely unchanged since its inception in the late 1950s, with the majority of spandex employing poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) as soft segments. Recent developments in catalyst technology have resulted in the production of ultra-low monol content poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), which is nearly difunctional (f=1.95+). This enhancement in difunctionality has potentially enabled the use of PPG as a spandex soft segment with potential spandex processing, performance, and economic benefits. PPG-based spandex elastomers were evaluated in both film and fiber form for the purpose of investigating morphological, orientational, mechanical, and thermal properties with the goal of understanding relationships between chemistry, morphology and properties. Key variables of interest were soft segment molecular weight (MW), molecular weight distribution (MWD), and composition, and hard segment content and composition. Of those, the influence of the molecular weight distribution of the polyol used for soft segments was of foremost interest and had previously been largely neglected during the course of poly(urethane) and poly(urethane-urea) research. It was found that over the range of PUU compositions suitable for production of spandex, that hard segment content and composition had little effect upon the morphology and thermal and mechanical properties. Appreciable trends as functions of soft segment molecular weight were observed. The soft segment MWD was adjusted through the addition of a low molecular weight homolog of PPG, tri(propylene glycol) (TPG), decreasing the number average soft segment MW. The results of these experiments were contrary to those for variation of soft segment molecular weight. It was determined that the low MW portion of the polyol MWD contributes to the building of hard segments in addition to or in lieu of soft segments. Incorporation of TPG in the PUUs resulted in larger, presumably less cohesive, hard domains and increased hard segment content. The TPG containing materials had enhanced tensile properties, less permanent set, and less residual orientation after deformation. These materials proved quite comparable to those using PTMEG soft segments. Comparison of film and fiber PUUs revealed only minor differences, implying that the trends and conclusions drawn from the study of films with spandex-like compositions would also hold for fibers. The key difference between films and fibers is that fibers maintain some residual ordering and orientation due to drawing of the fibers during processing. Of the processing variables investigated, none impacted the morphology as determined from small angle x-ray scattering. It was concluded, that of the various compositional variables germane to spandex, the polyol MW and MWD played key roles in development of morphology, and hence properties. The role of polyol MWD had been woefully neglected during the development of spandex previously, and was observed to be a critical variable.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10919/26792
    Collections
    • Doctoral Dissertations [16820]

    If you believe that any material in VTechWorks should be removed, please see our policy and procedure for Requesting that Material be Amended or Removed. All takedown requests will be promptly acknowledged and investigated.

    Virginia Tech | University Libraries | Contact Us
     

     

    VTechWorks

    AboutPoliciesHelp

    Browse

    All of VTechWorksCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Log inRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    If you believe that any material in VTechWorks should be removed, please see our policy and procedure for Requesting that Material be Amended or Removed. All takedown requests will be promptly acknowledged and investigated.

    Virginia Tech | University Libraries | Contact Us