Abstract
Knowledge of the dynamic and high temperature properties of polyurethane elastomers is critical to their use in high dynamic stress applica tions that include automotive belting, roller covers, tires and wheels. The devel opment of elastomeric systems for such demanding applications requires a means of characterizing these systems in terms of mechanical properties and high-temperature performance using limited quantities of material. Dynamic Mechanical Spectroscopy (DMS) is a powerful and versatile technique which is capable of providing this information with quick turn-around times and small sample size requirements. While highly theoretical and often complex explana tions of dynamic mechanical measurements exist in abundance, little pub lished information can be found that is directed towards polyurethane cast systems and expressed in easy to understand terms. This paper attempts to fill this void by offering a qualitative explanation of basic DMS theoretical princi ples and providing practical guidelines for interpreting DMS data for a series of cast polyurethane elastomers.
To assist the system formulator in the selection of diisocyanate structure, polyol backbone and molecular weight, curative and stoichiometry, the effects of each of these parameters on dynamic properties are demonstrated. DMS test results are correlated to those results generated by other dynamic test meth ods, and examples of how DMS has been used to accurately predict performance in real-life applications are discussed.
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