Promising mechanical and adhesive properties of isocyanate-free poly(hydroxyurethane)

A series of poly(hydroxyurethane) (PHU) materials were synthesized by step growth polymerization of cyclic carbonates and diamines. Trimethylolpropane tris-carbonate and various poly(propylene oxide) bis-carbonates were copolymerized with EDR-148 or 1,3-cyclohexanebis(methylamine) (CBMA). Thermal, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of PHU materials were characterized by DSC, TGA, durometer, dynamometer and DMA. Moreover, for the first time, we report adhesive properties of PHU synthesized without isocyanate on wood, aluminum and glass supports. All these properties were compared to reference polyurethane materials, synthesized from poly(propylene oxide) triol polymerized with hexamethylenediisocyante (HDI) or 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (CBMI), in order to compare the materials properties of similar chemical structure. PHUs exhibit outstanding adhesion properties due to the presence of hydroxyl groups hanging off the main polycarbonate chain. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.