Synthesis of hydrolytically stable low elastic modulus polyurethane-urea for biomedical applications

Abstract

Polyurethane-urea without ether linkages was synthesised using dicyclohexyl-methane diisocyanate (SMDI), hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPBD) and m-phenylenediamine (PDA). The hydrolytic stability of this polymer was investigated under in vitro conditions using Ringer's solution and phosphate-buffered saline, and the stability of candidate polyurethane-urea polymers was compared with that of polyurethane prepared with SMDI, HTPBD and I,4-butanediol [BD]. The change of tensile properties, hardness and surface properties in the aged polymer is significant for polyurethane when compared with those of polyurethane-urea polymer. The in vitro study revealed possible applications of polyurethane-urea for long-term biomedical applications. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.