Particle foams
A process can be used for producing a thermoplastic polyurethane, where the process at least involves converting at least one isocyanate composition and a polyol composition, to obtain a prepolymer having isocyanate groups, and reacting the resulting prepolymer with at least one chain extender. The at least one isocyanate composition contains an isocyanate selected from naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI), p-phenyl diisocyanate (PPDI), o-tolidine diisocyanate (TODI), ethylene diphenyl diisocyanate (EDI), or mixtures thereof. The polyol composition contains a polytetrahydrofuran or a derivative thereof. A thermoplastic polyurethane obtained or obtainable by such a process is useful, and a foamed pellet material can be produced containing such a thermoplastic polyurethane. The foamed pellet material of the invention can be used for production of a molded article.
1 . A foamed pellet material, comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane obtainable or obtained by a process comprising at least:
(i) converting one isocyanate composition (ZI), comprising an isocyanate (I1) selected from the group consisting of naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), diphenylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI), p-phenyl diisocyanate (PPDI), o-tolidine diisocyanate (TODI), ethylene diphenyl diisocyanate (EDI), and a mixture thereof; and a polyol composition (ZP); to obtain a prepolymer having isocyanate groups, and
(ii) reacting the prepolymer obtained in (i) with at least one chain extender (KV), wherein the polyol composition (ZP) comprises a poly-ε-caprolactonepolyol,
wherein the polyol composition (ZP) comprises polytetrahydrofuran and a derivative thereof, wherein the derivative is a poly-ε-caprolactonepolyol obtained by reaction of ε-caprolactone and a polytetrahydrofuran as starter molecule.
2 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one isocyanate composition (ZI) comprises naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI) in an amount in the range from 90% to 100% by weight, based on the one isocyanate composition (ZI).
3 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one chain extender (KV) is selected from the group consisting of diols having a molecular weight in the range from 50 to 500 g/mol and diamines having a molecular weight in the range from 50 to 500 g/mol.
4 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one chain extender (KV) is selected from the group consisting of monoethylene glycol, butane-1,4-diol, propane-1,3-diol, hexane-1,6-diol, 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, and 2-butyl-2-ethylpropanediol.
5 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein an average diameter of a bead of the foamed pellet material is in the range from 0.5 to 20 mm.
6 . A molded article, obtainable from the foamed pellet material according to claim 1 .
7 . A method, comprising:
molding the foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , to produce a molded article.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the molded article is produced by fusing or bonding of beads of the foamed pellet material to one another.
9 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the molded article is a footwear sole, part of a footwear sole, a mattress, underlay, grip, protective film, a component in an automobile interior or exterior, a gymnastics mat, a body protector, a trim element in automobile construction, a sound insulator, a vibration damper, a cushion, a bicycle seat, a toy, a tire, a part of a tire, a covering for a track and field surface, a sports hall, a pathway, a damping layer or a damping core in a sandwich element, or a packaging.
10 . A molded article, comprising the foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the molded article is selected from the group consisting of a ball, sports equipment, floor covering, wall paneling, a sports surface, a track and field surface, a sports hall, a children's playground, and a pathway.
11 . A hybrid material, comprising a matrix composed of a polymer (PM) and the foamed pellet material according to claim 1 .
12 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is obtained by the recited process.
13 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one chain extender (KV) is butane-1,4-diol.
14 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one chain extender (KV) is propane-1,3-diol.
15 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 13 , wherein the one isocyanate composition (ZI) comprises naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI) in an amount in the range from 90% to 100% by weight, based on the one isocyanate composition (ZI).
16 . The foamed pellet material according to claim 14 , wherein the one isocyanate composition (ZI) comprises naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI) in an amount in the range from 90% to 100% by weight, based on the one isocyanate composition (ZI).