Preperation of Polyurethane Elastomers (PUEs) in a High-Throughput Workflow

Majoros, Laszlo I.; Dekeyser, Bernard; Haucourt, Nancy; Castelein, Pieter; Paul, Johan; Kranenburg, Johannes M.; Rettler, Erik; Hoogenboom, Richard; Schubert, Ulrich S.

Abstract:

High-throughput experimentation (HTE) represents a promising and versatile approach for polyurethane (PU) research as a tool to rapidly screen and characterize a large number of samples in an automated way. To realize a unique HTE workflow for the research and development of PU elastomers (PUEs), the use of parallel automated formulation and coating platforms at Flamac were explored. To evaluate the applicability of HTE for PUEs, four different PU systems were investigated with different reactivities and viscosities. All prepared PUEs were evaluated by conventional physical testing methods measuring the E-modulus, tensile-elongation and the hardness properties revealing similar trends as conventionally prepared PUEs indicating the viability of the HTE approach. In addition, the properties of the PUEs were also investigated using downscaled microtensile bars as well as depth-sensing indentation, again, revealing similar trends. With this proof of principle study, we demonstrated for the first time that HTE can also be extended to polymeric materials based on high reactive and viscous raw materials in combination with complex technologies. The reported results provide a basis for the use of HTE approaches for preparing, screening and characterizing large numbers of PUEs for R{&}D purposes.

Year:

2011

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

depth sensing indentation; high performance coatings; high throughput experimentation; mechanical properties; polyurethane elastomers PUEs

Journal:

Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Volume:

49

Pages:

301 - 313