Thermal degradation of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU) based on MDI

The thermal degradation of two different thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU) based on 4,4′-MDI was studied using two different thermal analyzers with combined techniques for the evolved gas analysis, and two combustion devices. Nitrogen and synthetic air were used as carrier gases. In the case of the incineration ovens the evolved gaseous products were captured on XAD-4 resin, desorbed and analyzed off-line by GC/MS. The results show different degradation behaviour and product distribution for TPUs based on polyether and on polyester segments.