Microstructure and tensile properties of injection molded thermoplastic polyurethane with different melt temperatures

The use of injection molding technology to prepare heterogeneous interlayer film of laminated glass holds strong applicable potential. This article aims to investigate the effects of melt temperature and melt flow on the microstructure evolution and tensile properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) specimens during the injection molding process. The tensile properties of the TPU specimens show dependency on the melt temperature and melt flow direction. The results of birefringence indicate that melt flow and lower melt temperature induce higher stretching deformation of the molecular chain network. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering analysis approves that besides the melt temperature and flow direction, the testing position on the cross section of the specimen has great influence on the microstructure of the TPU sheet. Further analysis and conclusions can be made using wide‐angle X‐ray scattering method. The above results demonstrate that both the tensile properties and microstructure of the injection molded TPU specimens tend to be isotropic with the increase of melt temperature.