Polymer-filler interactions and mechanical properties of a polyurethane elastomer

Films of a polyester-based polyurethane containing silica particles in a co ncentration range from 1 to 20 phr were prepared from THF solutions. Two ty pes of silica were used resulting from two different thermal treatments of precipitated silica, yielding different surface hydroxyl concentrations. So me of their mechanical properties were measured and the reinforcement mecha nism was discussed in terms of interactions between the hydroxyl groups and hard or soft segments of the polymer chains. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.