Adhesion properties and phase separation behavior of glycidyl-terminated polyurethanes

2,3-Epoxy-1-propanol has been introduced into isocyanate-terminated polyurethane to form glycidyl-terminated polyurethane resins. A series of glycidyl-terminated polyurethanes based on hydroxyterminated poly(oxypropylene) (poly(oxypropylene) glycol, PPG), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and 1,4-butanediol (BD) was synthesized with various PPG soft segment lengths (MW 700, 1000 and 2000) and soft segment concentrations (30, 50 and 70 wt.-%). The effects of glycidyl-terminated polyurethane on the adhesion properties and the phase separation were investigated. The adhision properties at liquid nitrogen temperature coincide with the phenomenon observed in the phase separation behavior of polyurethane. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared technique (IR) were used to assess the phase separation content. The enthalpy jump at the glass transition temperature (ΔC_p) and the unique spectroscopic features in the N? H and C?O stretching regions were applied to characterized the phase separation behavior. It was found that the modified resins do not only show superior adhesion at liquid nitrogen temperature but also exhibit some unique properties, e.g., room temperature curing and good storage stability.