Rheological, mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of highly elastic polyurethane/zinc ionomer composite films

Polyurethane (PU) and zinc ionomer (ZnI)-based polymer composites films were developed by melt extrusion method. The structure, phase morphology, rheology, and mechanical properties of the PU/ZnI blends were studied. The X-ray diffraction analysis displaced that there is no major effect on the crystallinity of PU phase by the addition of ZnI. Scanning electron microscopic images confirmed the partial miscibility of PU and ZnI, which greatly influenced on the tensile and elongation at break (EB) properties of the composite films at a high ratio. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that with increasing the ZnI content, the storage modulus of the blends decreased and exhibited twoT(g)temperature peaks. Tensile strength of the PU/ZnI composites decreased drastically and EB increased significantly by the addition of ZnI, however a degree of interaction has been found. PU/ZnI composite films improved surface hydrophobic with excellent water barrier properties. The ultraviolet transmittance of the PU increased with increasing the content of ZnI.

Automated summary

The structure, phase morphology, rheology, and mechanical properties of PU/ZnI composite films were studied. It was found that the addition of ZnI had no significant effect on the crystallinity of PU, but greatly influenced the tensile and elongation at break properties of the composite films. The storage modulus of the blends decreased with increasing ZnI content and exhibited two glass transition temperature peaks. Additionally, the surface hydrophobicity of the composite films was improved and the ultraviolet transmittance of PU increased with increasing ZnI content.