SURFACE CRYSTALLINE CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYURETHANE INVESTIGATED BY ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY

A polyester-urethane was synthesized by the reaction of 2,4-toluylene diisocyanate (TDI) with poly(butylene glycol adipate) (PBGAD) using 1, 4-butanediol (BDO) as a chain extender. Atomic force microscopy was em ployed to examine the surface morphologies of polyurethane (PU) films formed by heat treatment as well as at room temperature. At both condi tions the surface of the PU film appeared as a spherulitic structure w ith a varied diameter and vertical height. Furthermore, the crystallin e structure of heat-treated film was denser than that of the film form ed at ambient. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.