SOFT, ELASTIC, PLASTICIZER-FREE THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE AND PROCESS TO SYNTHESIZE THE SAME

摘要

The present invention discloses a thermoplastic polyurethane which is comprised of the reaction product of (1) a hydroxyl terminated intermediate, (2) a polyisocyanate, and (3) a glycol chain extender selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol; wherein the hydroxyl terminated intermediate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl terminated polyether intermediates and hydroxyl terminated polyester intermediates; wherein the hydroxyl terminated intermediate is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a branched glycol or is comprised of at least 2 different repeating units; wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane has a weight average molecular weight of at least 100,000 Daltons; wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane includes hard segments that are the reaction product of the polyisocyanate and the glycol chain extender; and wherein the hard segments represent from 10 to 40 weight percent of the total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane.