Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers with Aliphatic Hard Segments Based on Plant‐Oil‐Derived Long‐Chain Diisocyanates

Abstract Novel plant‐oil‐derived long‐chain (C 19 and C 23 ) α,ω‐diisocyanates, optionally in combination with the corresponding long‐chain diols, provide entirely aliphatic hard segments in segmented thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPUs), with carbohydrate‐based poly(trimethylene glycol) soft segments. Compared to materials based on a mid‐chain monomer analog, phase separation is higher due to an increased flexibility of the aliphatic segments. Although melting points are slightly lower than for HDPE, the long‐chain TPU's solid‐state structure is still dominated by hydrogen‐bonding.