This publication highlights the structure–property relationships in several thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs): one poly(ether-block-amide) and two thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with ester and ether soft blocks. Structural changes are induced by chemical degradation from virgin samples through hydrolysis and oxidation. Molar mass measurements show an exclusive chain scission mechanism for all TPEs, regardless of the chemical modification condition. Mechanical behavior was nevertheless obtained from uniaxial tensile testing and fracture testing while considering the essential work of fracture (EWF) concept. During the macromolecular scission process, elongation at break shows a plateau followed by a drop, while stress at break decreases steadily. Once again, the trend is identical for all TPEs in all conditions considered. The βwp parameter determined using the EWF concept exhibits an interesting sensitivity to scissions (i.e., molar mas decrease). Plotting elongation at break as a function of molar mass reveals a strong correlation between these two parameters. This master curve is particularly remarkable considering the range of TPEs and chemical breakdown pathways considered (hydrolysis and oxidation at several temperatures). Relevant structure–property relationships are proposed, highlighting that molar mass is a predominant parameter for determining the mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomers.

中文翻译：

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化学降解改性氨基甲酸酯和酰胺共聚物的摩尔质量与断裂性能的关系

该出版物重点介绍了几种热塑性弹性体 (TPE) 的结构-性能关系：一种聚（醚-嵌段-酰胺）和两种具有酯和醚软嵌段的热塑性聚氨酯弹性体。结构变化是由原始样品通过水解和氧化产生的化学降解引起的。摩尔质量测量显示所有 TPE 都有独特的断链机制，无论化学改性条件如何。尽管如此，机械性能还是从单轴拉伸试验和断裂试验中获得，同时考虑了断裂的基本功 (EWF) 概念。在大分子断裂过程中，断裂伸长率呈平台期后下降，而断裂应力稳定下降。再一次，在所有考虑的条件下，所有 TPE 的趋势都是相同的。使用 EWF 概念确定的 βwp 参数对断裂（即摩尔质量下降）表现出有趣的敏感性。将断裂伸长率作为摩尔质量的函数作图揭示了这两个参数之间的强相关性。考虑到 TPE 的范围和所考虑的化学分解途径（几个温度下的水解和氧化），该主曲线特别显着。提出了相关的结构-性能关系，强调摩尔质量是确定热塑性弹性体机械性能的主要参数。考虑到 TPE 的范围和所考虑的化学分解途径（几个温度下的水解和氧化），该主曲线特别显着。提出了相关的结构-性能关系，强调摩尔质量是确定热塑性弹性体机械性能的主要参数。考虑到 TPE 的范围和所考虑的化学分解途径（几个温度下的水解和氧化），该主曲线特别显着。提出了相关的结构-性能关系，强调摩尔质量是确定热塑性弹性体机械性能的主要参数。