Cj. Spaans et al., HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT POLYURETHANES AND A POLYURETHANE UREA BASED ON 1,4-BUTANEDIISOCYANATE, Polymer bulletin, 41(2), 1998, pp. 131-138
New biomedical polyurethanes and a polyurethane urea based on epsilon-
caprolactone and 1,4-butanediisocyanate have been developed. On degrad
ation, only non-toxic products are produced. The polyurethane urea wit
h poly(epsilon-caprolactone) soft segments and butanediisocyanate/buta
nediamine hard segments shows a high tensile strength, a high modulus
and a high resistance to tearing but as a result of the strong interac
tions between the solvent and the polymer processing is difficult. Whe
n butanediamine is replaced by butanediol in the chain extension step,
a processible polyurethane is obtained but the polymer lacks the desi
red mechanical properties for biomedical applications. By chain extend
ing with a longer urethane diol block, a processible polymer was obtai
ned with mechanical properties comparable to the polyurethane urea. Th
is polyurethane has been made porous and can be used as a meniscal pro
sthesis.