Hytrel-like Copolymers Based on Furan Polyester

What is it about?

This paper aims to compare the performance of two Hytrel-like segmented copolymers: “classic” PBT-b-PTMG and fully bio-based PBF-b-PTMG, containing poly(butylene furanoate) as the rigid segment. The idea behind this research is to assess whether the sustainable copolymers can successfully replace those “classic” once at the thermoplastic elastomers’ market. Two series of copolymers were synthesized under the same process parameters, had the same compositions, but differed in aromatic ring structure in terephthalate/furanoate unit. Furthermore, the materials were processed by injection moulding as typical Hytrel products. The detailed analysis proved that PBF-b-PTMG and PBT-b-PTMG copolymers represent two kinds of materials with similar chemical structure, some features of thermoplastic elastomers, but evident differences in their physical properties.

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