Low-temperature route to thermoplastic polyamide elastomers

Thermoplastic polyamide elastomers were obtained by polymerization of aminobenzoyl-substituted telechelics derived from poly(tetrahydrofuran)-diols (number-average molecular weight: 1400 or 2000 g mol (1)) with several diacid dichlorides (terephthaloyl dichloride, 4,4'-biphenyldicarbonyl dichloride, or 2,6-naphthalenedicarbonyl dichloride) and chlorotrimethylsilane in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 0-20 degreesC. The as-prepared polymers had melting temperatures above 190 degreesC and exhibited elastic properties at room temperature, as evidenced by dynamic mechanical analysis and stress-strain measurements. The polymer with 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxamide hard segments had the widest rubbery plateau within the series, the highest extension at break, and good recovery properties. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.