Synthesis of Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG)-Based Polyurethane and Effect of Chain Extender on Its Associated Properties

Abstract

This study depicts the investigations of the effect of composition of aromatic polyester polyol produced from terephthalic acid (TPA) and different concentrations of mono ethylene glycol (mEG) as a chain extender on the mechanical properties of polyurethane (PU) elastomer. Aromatic polyester polyols are prepared via the poly-esterification of adipic acid, terephthalic acid, catalyst, and mono ethylene glycol; while a polyurethane elastomer is formulated via the pre-polymerization of polyol with pure monomeric Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI.) Mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers are examined, such as hardness via shore A hardness, apparent density via ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D1622–08, and abrasion wear resistance via a Deutches Institut fur Normung (DIN) abrasion wear resistance tester. Structural properties are investigated through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Results reveal that the shore A hardness of the PU elastomer increases with an increasing concentration of mEG from 4g to 12g. Nevertheless, the elastomer’s density depicts a reduction with an increasing extender content. The abrasion wear resistance of polyurethane, however, increases with an increasing concentration of glycol. A structural analysis through FTIR confirms the formation of polyurethane elastomer through the characteristic peaks demonstrated.