A review on Copoly(ether-ester) elastomers: degradation and stabilization

This review focuses on the possible mechanisms of thermal or thermo-oxidative degradation of the copoly(ether-ester) elastomer (COPE) reported in formed literatures. The ester group, apart from the other functional groups, can occur in both hard and soft segments. The lifetime of the COPE is controlled by both oxidation and thermal degradation processes, which mostly proceed independently. The thermal oxidation of ester elastomers may occur during every stage of their life cycles during the synthesis, processing, storage or use of the final goods. The influences of the introduction of various additives on the processes of decomposition and aging of the COPE are compared. The proper choice of stabilizers and anti-oxidants, as well as initial substrates, caused the materials to endow them with excellent properties and high resistance to various environmental conditions.