A series of aliphatic polyurethaneureas (PUUs) and polyureas (PUAs) with various chain extenders were prepared. The influence of chain extenders on morphology and properties of these polyurethaneureas and polyureas was studied. The PUUs and PUAs synthesized with isophorone diamine (IPDA) showed lower degree of hydrogen bonding for the urea carbonyl groups existed in the system as well as better miscibility between soft and hard segments, compared to those prepared with ethylenediamine (EDA) or hexanediamine (HDA) as chain extenders. The tensile strength, hardness and tear strength of PUUs and PUAs prepared with IPDA were higher than those synthesized with EDA or HDA, but the PUUs and PUAs prepared with IPDA had lower elongation at break. There was little discrepancy in the properties of PUUs or PUAs extended with EDA and HDA. The degree of ordered hydrogen bonding for the urea carbonyl groups existed in PUUs was lower than that in PUAs prepared with the same chain extender, and PUUs also had lower water absorption content compared to PUAs prepared with the same chain extender.

Key words: aliphatic polyurethaneureas, aliphatic polyureas, morphology, hydrogen bonding, mechanical property