Tensile properties of segmented block copolymers with monodisperse hard segments

The tensile properties of segmented block copolymers with mono-disperse hard segments were studied with respect to the hard segment content (16-44 wt.%) and the temperature (20-110 degrees C). The copolymers were comprised of poly(tetramethylene oxide) segments with the molecular weights of 650-2,900 Da and of mono-disperse bisester-tetra-amide segments (T6A6T) based on adipic acid (A), terephthalic acid (T) and hexamethylene diamine (6). An increasing content of T6A6T gave rise to an increased modulus, yield stress and fracture stress. The modulus could be modeled by a composite model. Moreover, a strain-softening was observed well below the yield stress, due to the shearing of the T6A6T crystallites. At strains > 200%, a strain-hardening of the PTMO segments took place and this even for PTMO segments that were amorphous in the isotropic state. The strain hardening increased the tensile properties. An increase in temperature had little effect on the modulus of the copolymers, but was found to lower the yield and fracture stresses. At temperatures above the melting temperature of the oriented PTMO, no strain-hardening took place. The yield stress as a function of temperature could be described by the Eyring relationship, but a modulus-yield stress relationship could not be established.