Effect of Thermal Aging on the Physico-Chemical and Optical Properties of Poly(ester urethane) Elastomers Designed for Passive Damping (Pads) of the Railway

The aim of this study consists of monitoring the effect of thermal aging on the physico-chemical and optical properties of poly(ester urethane) elastomers designed as damping materials for railways. The materials were obtained by polyaddition in two stages in melt, resulting in regular structures. The structural modifications during the thermal aging of the samples were monitored using FTIR, color changes, TGA in non-isothermal and isothermal conditions, DSC and physico-mechanical measurements. The structural regularity of the rigid and flexible segments maintained the good mechanical properties of the structures up to 200 h of thermal aging at the elevated temperatures of 40 degrees C, 70 degrees C, 100 degrees C and 130 degrees C. It was observed that at 40 degrees C and low exposure times, changes occur mainly to the carbonyl groups of the soft segments. At higher temperatures and longer exposure times urethane groups were affected. Extended thermal aging led to significant changes in thermo-mechanical and optical properties.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that poly(ester urethane) elastomers designed as damping materials for railways maintain good mechanical properties after 200 hours of thermal aging at elevated temperatures, but significant changes in thermo-mechanical and optical properties occur with increasing time and temperature.