ABSTRACT
Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) provide opportunities to the modern industry by their outstanding versatility, by improving the performance of many product, from shoe soles, seals, and films to conveyor belts and cables. TPUs have high elongation and tensile strength; elasticity; and an ability to resist oils, greases, solvents, chemicals, and abrasion. TPUs are classified into polyether based and polyester based, which have the following characteristics: polyester
TPUs are unaffected by oils and chemicals, provide excellent abrasion resistance, offer a good balance of physical properties, and are perfect for use in polyblends, but on the other hand, polyether TPUs are slightly lower in specific gravity than polyester TPUs and offer low-temperature flexibility, good abrasion, and tear resilience. They are also durable against microbial attack and provide excellent hydrolysis resistance-making them suitable for applications where water is a consideration. The mentioned work deals with preparation of composites based on TPU (polyester) and nanosilica via the melt blending process in a laboratory mixer. Prepared nanocomposites were tested for mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties and the irradiation properties were also determined. The aim of this work is to obtain nanocomposites and the improved properties that those materials can display.
