The influence of microphase separation structure of silicon-containing polyurethane on its wear resistance

This study incorporated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a kind of siloxane-based chain extender (SDO) into polyether urethanes (PEU). The correlation between microphase separation structure and mechanical properties, surface properties and wear resistance were investigated using multiple characterization techniques such as DSC, DMA, SAXS, ATR-FTIR, and XPS. The addition of PDMS significantly reduced the friction coefficient of PEU and enhances the hydrophobicity. The addition of SDO helped to improve the compatibility between PDMS and hard segments of PEU as proved by the fact that the glass transition temperatures of PDMS segments were shifted to higher temperatures and the fraction of loosely hydrogen-bonded carbonyls increased. Due to the improved interfacial adhesion between the immiscible segments, the wear resistance of PEU modified by both PDMS and SDO was obviously enhanced.