Chimeric Plastics : a new class of thermoplastic

A new class of thermoplastics (dubbed "chimerics") is described that exhibits a high temperature glass transition followed by high performance elastomer properties, prior to melting. These transparent materials are comprised of cocontinuous phase-separated block copolymers. One block is an amorphous glass with a high glass transition temperature, and the second is a higher temperature phase transition block creating virtual thermoreversible cross-links. The material properties are highly influenced by phase separation on the order of 10―30 nm. At lower temperatures the polymer reflects the sum of the block copolymer properties. As the amorphous phase glass transition is exceeded. the virtual cross-links of the higher temperature second phase dominate the plastic properties, resulting in rubber-like elasticity. This article will particularly focus on plastics produced from phthalate-based polyester amorphous phases extended by urethane-derived second phases. Glass transitions from approximately 100―115 °C and subsequent elastomer phases to 150 °C are measured. The polymers exhibit high modulus (G' = 1 GPa). surprisingly high toughness (up to 2 times that of Bis-A polycarbonate) below the glass transition, and very high elongations and very low elastomer set subsequently. Materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction. DSC. AFM. dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, and tensile measurements. These materials may vastly simplify thermoplastic processes requiring high melt elasticity.