Thermoplastic polyurethanes: synthesis, fabrication techniques, blends, composites, and applications

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 1123 - 1152
• Main Authors: Backes, Eduardo Henrique, Harb, Samarah Vargas, Pinto, Leonardo Alves, de Moura, Nayara Koba, de Melo Morgado, Guilherme Ferreira, Marini, Juliano, Passador, Fabio Roberto, Pessan, Luiz Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Aeronautics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Composite materials; Composition; Crystallography and Scattering Methods; Diisocyanates; Impact strength; Materials Science; Molecular weight; Polyesters; Polymer blends; Polymer Sciences; Review; Solid Mechanics; Textiles; Urethane thermoplastic elastomers
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-023-09077-z

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) have attracted increasing attention from the scientific and industrial communities due to their rich chemistry and wide fabrication techniques, which open up a vast field of application. Incorporating other polymers or fillers in TPU composition further expands TPU applicability. TPU blends and composites have been explored in medicine, agriculture, textiles, electronics, aeronautics, food packing, sensors, and automobiles. Soft and hard segments of different compositions have been combined to produce TPUs with specific properties, such as soft touch, elasticity, transparency, impact strength, chemical resistance, and elastic memory. Although petroleum-based precursors are still the most applied, green sources of diisocyanate, polyol, and chain extenders have been increasingly exploited. This review first addresses the fundamental chemistry, synthesis, fabrication techniques, and structure of TPUs and further compiles works on TPU blends and composites.