PolyTHF® is a hygroscopic polymer made up of linear diols with a backbone of repeating tetramethylene units which are connected by ether linkages. The chains are capped with primary hydroxyl units and are produced by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran. It is a white solid that melts into a clear, colourless liquid when heated to between –15 and 30°C depending on its molecular weight.

PolyTHF is known chemically as polytetramethylene ether glycol or PTMEG. It is especially beneficial when used as a building block for soft segment elastomers such as polyurethanes, co-polyetheresters, and co-polyetheramides. Its hydroxyl groups react with other functional groups such as organic acids or isocyanates. The most significant reactions are polyaddition, and polycondensation reactions. Thermoplastic elastomers made with PolyTHF can be processed into finished articles via injection-molding or extrusion and fiber spinning.

It is an important intermediate in manufacturing thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU). These products are used for highly abrasion-resistant and flexible hoses, films and cable sheathing. Other applications include thermo-plastic polyetheresters, polyetheramide, and cast polyurethane elastomers, proven in their use for skateboard wheels and inline skates.

Locally produced in the USA.

Features & Benefits

When used as soft segments for elastomers, PolyTHF provides:

• Good mechanical properties and excellent resiliency over a wide range of temperatures
• Low temperature flexibility
• Superior hydrolytic stability
• Superior resistance against microbes and fungus attack
• High abrasion resistance
• Non-allergenic
• Superior dynamic properties (minimum heat build-up)
• High reactivity (bi-functional primary alcohol)
• High tear strength
• PolyTHF itself and its prepolymers have comparatively low viscosities, leading to easier processing and handling
• Prepolymers based on PolyTHF have long shelf lives

For more information, check out these brochures!

• PolyTHF brochure – CASE products
• PolyTHF brochure – Elastic Fibers

Properties