Effects of low molecular weight aliphatic diols on the polyurethane elastomers prepared from hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadienes

Abstract
Hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadienes were prepared by using azo initiators such as di(4‐hydroxybutyl)‐2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate and di(3‐hydroxybutyl)‐2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate, one of which contains primary and the other secondary hydroxyl groups. The effects of aliphatic diols and 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in the presence of dibutyltindilaurate (DBTDL) as catalyst, on crosslinking of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups, were studied. Polyurethane elastomers from these polymers are prepared by using different ratios of diols, 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate and catalyst. Physical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, 100% modulus, and elongation at break of these polymers were studied with a view to compare them with the physical properties of elastomers prepared from ARCO R‐45M.