Effect of the Monomer Chain Length on the Structure and Properties of Polyamide-based Thermoplastic Elastomers
Yeyen Nurhamiyah (a)(b*), Biqiong Chen(a)

(a)School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen^s University Belfast, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, United Kingdom

(b)Research Center for Biomass and Biproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Bogor KM. 46 Cibinong, Bogor, Indonesia
*email: yeye001[at]brin.go.id

Abstract

The monomer chain length and the ratio of amide linkages to the methylene, among others, contribute to the properties of polyamides. A series of fatty based polyamides including PA36,4, PA4,36, PA36,9 and PA9,36 were synthesised by melt polycondensation and the effects of monomer chain length on the properties were studied. Apart from PA36,4, the other three polyamides exhibited melting temperatures of 83.6 oC - 94.7 oC, glass transition temperatures of ~ 17 oC, high stretchability (up to 1450%) while maintaining high strength (up to 24 MPa), excellent impact, flexural, and tear behaviour, as well as superhydrophobicity. The length of monomer chain in the repeating unit influences the ratio of rigid amide linkage and thus the properties of the resulting polyamide.

Keywords: polyamide, elastomer, chain-length, fatty acid

Topic: Polymer Chemistry & Bio-based Materials