Synthesis of energetic thermoplastic elastomers containing both polyoxirane and polyoxetane blocks

Abstract

This thermoplastic elastomer is present in a substantially solid state suitable for use as a binder for a propellant, explosive, and/or gas generant of a supplemental restraint system. The thermoplastic elastomer is formed from a composition including A blocks which are crystalline at temperatures below about 75° C. and B blocks which are amorphous at temperatures above about −20° C. The A blocks are derived from oxetane derivatives and the B blocks are derived from oxiranes and derivatives thereof. The A blocks and B-blocks are end-capped with a diisocyanate having a first isocyanate moiety that is substantially more reactive with the terminal groups of the blocks than the second isocyanate moiety, whereby the more reactive first isocyanate moiety is capable of reacting with the terminal groups of the blocks, leaving the less reactive second isocyanate moiety free and unreacted. The end-capped A blocks and the end-capped B blocks are linked together with a linking compound having two isocyanate-reactive groups which are sufficiently unhindered to react with the free and unreacted isocyanate moieties of the end-capped polymers.