Polyurethane-polysiloxane Copolymer Compatibilized SiR/TPU TPV with Comfortable Human Touch Toward Wearable Devices

Because of its softness, wear resistance, biocompatibility, extremely comfortable human touch, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) comprised of silicone rubber (SiR) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) (SiR/TPU TPV) is especially suitable for wearable intelligent devices. Nevertheless, developing good compatibilizer is still required to prepare high performance SiR/TPU TPV. In this study, three kinds of polyurethane-polysiloxane copolymer (PU-co-PSi) with different contents of polysiloxane segment were selected, and their compatibilization effect on SiR/TPU blends was studied using nanomechanical mapping technique of AFM. The results show that using PU-co-PSi with the highest content of polysiloxane segment (PU-co-HPSi), the interface thickness largely increases, and the average size of SiR dispersed phase largely decreases, indicating its good compatibilization effect. By using PU-co-HPSi as compatibilizer, SiR/TPU TPV with a fine SiR dispersed phase and good mechanical performance were successfully prepared. The mechanism on the compatibilization effect of these PU-co-PSi on SiR/TPU TPVs was revealed.