Thermal degradation and aging behavior of polytriazole polyethylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran elastomer based on click-chemistry

Polytriazole polyethylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran (PTPET) elastomer was prepared based on the click-chemistry reaction between the C-CH and N₃ groups. The PTPET exhibits improved thermal stability with an activation energy of 204 kJ/mol compared with hydroxyl-terminated polyethylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran (PET) elastomer. TG-FTIR and pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS) were used to analyze the pyrolysis mechanism and products of the PTPET elastomer. The pyrolytic mechanism of PTPET mainly involves breakage of the polyether chains. The main pyrolytic products were identified. The PTPET underwent for 180 days at 50°C and 60°C. The tensile properties, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and TGA of the aged PTPET were investigated. The tensile stress and strain of the aged PTPET increased until 120 days (at 60°C) or 150 days (at 50°C), which could be attributed to the postcuring of the elastomer. The scission of the PTPET chains due to aging could dominate after aging for 120 days (at 60°C) or for 150 days (at 50°C), resulting in the reduction of mechanical properties.