Segmented polyurethane (SEU) was synthesized from hydroxylterminated poly (oxyethylene)-poly (oxytetramethylene)-poly (oxyethylene) triblock copolyether, 4, 4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and ethylene glycol by the prepolymer method. Antithrombogenicity of SEU evaluated by the Lee-White coagulation test and by the platelet adhesion test was found to be better than that of segmented polyurethane based on poly (oxytetramethylene) (SPU). The SEU also exhibited low modulus at elongation of 300-400% and a good hydrolytic stability up to six months. The value of C
2 derived from the Mooney-Rivlin Plot of stress-strain curve was found to decrease with the increase of oxyethylene (EO) content in the prepolymer. The stress relaxation measurement in normal saline solution at 37°C revealed that the stress relaxation of SEU was smaller than that of SPU. These findings were interpreted in terms of the better microphase separation and of the more hydrophilic nature of SEU than those of SPU owing to the introduction of poly (EO) units in the prepolymer.
View full abstract