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1. Molecular structure of TPU
Raw materials
All TPUs contain the urethane unit: NHCO 2 , which results from the reaction of isocyanate (NCO) with hydroxyl end groups (OH). They are, as already mentioned, block copolymers with alternating rigid and flexible segments.
Chemical reactions
Hard phases, or segments, are created by the reaction of a diisocyanate with a short dialcohol (or glycol) chain (or chain extender) (figure 2 ). This results in a very strong urethane pattern, which is characteristic of hard elements, composed of repeating diisocyanate groups and short dialcohol chains.
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Molecular structure of TPU
Properties
Statistical and economic data
In the absence of reliable market statistics for TPU films and foils (aromatic and aliphatic), world production is roughly estimated at 14,000 tonnes, two-thirds of which is manufactured in the USA. Europe produces some 3,000 tonnes, with Germany the leading producer ahead of the UK, France and Italy. The remainder of production comes from Asia, mainly Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
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References
Events
ANTEC (SPE Annual Technical Conference) http://www.4spe.org
Websites
List of TPU suppliers http://www.ides.com/generics/TPU/TPU_suppliers.htm
Directory
Manufacturers – Suppliers – Distributors (non-exhaustive list)
A. Schulman Inc. http://www.aschulman.com
API SpA http://www.apiplastic.com
BASF Corporation http://www.basf.com
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