ABSTRACT
Polyurethane elastomers are widely used in the manufacture of implantable medical devices. They exhibit a high degree of haemocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties, such as softness, high strength, and resistance to fatigue and tear. However, in applications requiring long term implantation in tissues, many poly urethanes undergo a gradual deterioration, resulting in stress cracking at the material surface. This may ultimately lead to failure of the device.
