POLYURETHANE FIBER INCLUDING COPOLYMER POLYOL
Fibers, fabrics and other articles including a polyurethaneurea that is the reaction product of (a) a prepolymer including the reaction product of (i) a polyol including a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 2000 and (ii) a diisocyanate; and (b) a chain extender, are provided.
1 . An elastic fiber comprising a segmented polyurethane that is the reaction product of:
(a) a prepolymer comprising the reaction product of
(i) a polyol comprising a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 2000 and
(ii) a diisocyanate; and
(b) a chain extender.
2 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran has a number average molecular weight of 1200 to 1800.
3 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the prepolymer has % NCO of 2.6 to 3.6.
4 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the prepolymer has % NCO of 2.8 to 3.6.
5 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the prepolymer has % NCO of 2.8 to 3.2.
6 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the chain extender is a diamine chain extender or a chain extender blend.
7 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the chain extender consists only of a linear diamine chain extender.
8 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the chain extender consists only of ethylene diamine.
9 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the polyol comprises only the copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran or a combination of the copolymer and a different polyol.
10 . The elastic fiber of claim 9 , wherein the different polyol a single additional polyol or a blend of polyols selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate glycols, polyester glycols, polyether glycols and combinations thereof.
11 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the polyol comprises about 50% to about 100% of the copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran.
12 . The elastic fiber of claim 1 , wherein the copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran includes about 5 to about 75 mole % of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran.
13 . A fabric comprising an elastic fiber comprising a segmented polyurethane that is the reaction product of:
(a) a prepolymer comprising the reaction product of
(i) a polyol comprising a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 2000 and
(ii) a diisocyanate; and
(b) a chain extender.
14 . The fabric of claim 13 , wherein the fabric retains power after heat treatment.
15 . The fabric of claim 13 , wherein the fabric comprises a knit or woven construction.
16 . An elastic article comprising a segmented polyurethane that is the reaction product of:
(a) a prepolymer comprising the reaction product of
(i) a polyol comprising a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 2000 and
(ii) a diisocyanate; and
(b) a chain extender.
17 . The article of claim 16 which is a hygiene article.
18 . The article of claim 16 wherein said article requires enhanced low temperature performance and/or resistance to fatigue at low temperatures.
19 . The article of claim 16 which is a sporting good; synthetic leather or coating for a genuine leather, a textile for cold-weather garments; a melt-extruded part, foam or film, a microcellular foam; or a clear coating.
20 . The article of claim 16 which is a spray coating.
21 . The article of claim 16 wherein said segmented polyurethane is a polyurethaneurea.
22 . The article of claim 16 which is a film, foam or yarn.