| abstract |
The invention concerns a novel melt-processible poly(ester urethane) and a process and a prepolymer for the preparation thereof. The poly(ester urethane) contains structural units derived from a polyester and structural units derived from a diisocyanate and, according to the invention, the bonds between the structural units are at least mainly comprised only of urethane bonds, the number average molar mass, Mn, of the polymer is at least 10,000 g/mol, its mass-average molar mass, Mw, is over 20,000 g/mol and its molar mass distribution, expressed as the ratio Mw/Mn, is over 2, and the polymer is essentially free from free isocyanate groups. The poly(ester urethane) is hydrolytically decomposable and it can be used as a biodegradable polymer, e.g., for manufacturing injection moulded pieces and thermoformed and blow moulded packages, bags, sacks and bottles, for coating of sacks, bags and films made of paper or cardboard, and for manufacturing fibres and non-woven fabrics. |