Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/C002091/1
Title:	Studies of Model Segmented Polyurethanes : Thermodynamic - Structure - Properties Correlations
Principal Investigator:	Saiani, Professor A
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Huntsman Polyurethanes
Department:	Materials
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts:	01 July 2005	Ends:	31 March 2009	Value (£):	125,430
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Materials Processing Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) are linear block copolymers comprising typically of statistically-alternating, soft (SS) and hard (HS) segments. The versatile properties of SPUs are usually attributed to their phase-separated morphologies. They find applications in high performance materials like coatings, adhesives, fibres and foams in a variety of industries raging from automotive and footwear to medical implants. One of the main challenges for the industry is the control of the physical properties of the end products. The development of tailored materials for specific applications, resulting in the creation of high added value products, requires a deep understanding of the physical and chemical processes involved in the formation of the materials at all levels: chemical architecture - thermodynamic properties - morphological structure - physical properties. Despite the large amount of investigative work performed on segmented polyurethanes in the past 20 years, the industry still lacks the necessary fundamental understanding of these materials and the control of the physical properties of segmented polyurethanes remains a challenge. This project aims by studying the relationships between thermodynamic properties, morphological structures and physical properties in series of model SPUs to produce a fundamental understanding of these materials, which will be of direct benefit to the polyurethane processing community.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk