Controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane and overgrips made therefrom

摘要

Controllably degradable overgrips are provided, as well as methods of producing controllably degradable thermoplastic polyurethane. Methods comprise pre-blending a catalyst on a matrix, dispersing a specified amount of the pre-blended catalyst throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component, and determining an onset timing of hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting the specified amount of dispersed catalyst. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be produced by reacting low molecular weight aliphatic diol(s) with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid(s) to produce polyester, and reacting the polyester with organic di-isocyanate(s) and diol chain extender(s) using catalytic amounts of alkali or alkaline earth metal salt(s) of C10 to C45 aliphatic carboxylic acid(s). Tackifying resins may be added to adjust an adhesive profile of the overgrips.

主权项

1. A method for making a polymer component comprising:
pre-blending a catalyst with an inert, process compatible matrix; dispersing the pre-blended catalyst on the matrix throughout solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane to yield a polymer component; and adjusting an onset timing of environmental hydrolytic breakdown of the polymer component by adjusting an amount of the catalyst dispersed throughout the solid granular thermoplastic polyurethane.