http://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/elastomers/ Dear Colleagues, Thermoplastic elastomers, a unique class of materials, are multiphase systems in which discreet plastic phases are embedded in a continuous elastomer phase. Though being macroscopically homogeneous, these polymers phase-separate at a microscopic (nanometer to micrometer) scale. Thermoplastic elastomers TPEs can be considered “green” rubbers. They exhibit rubbery properties at room temperature yet can be processed as plastics at elevated temperatures. This allows recycling or reuse of these materials. TPEs are used in many applications, including commodity areas such as show soles or soft-touch handles on sports equipment and toothbrushes, or specialty applications such as biomaterials. There are also of great academic interest because of their ability to self-assemble and form unique phase morphologies. In this special issue we will highlight the potential of thermoplastic elastomers for biomedical applications. Papers introducing new TPEs for implant, drug delivery and other biomedical applications, or new areas of application of existing TPEs will be highlighted. Papers discussing novel phase morphologies, surfaces and structure-property relationships are also welcome. Prof. Dr. Judit E. Puskas Guest Editor {snippet name="submission_info"} http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/12/5097/ Mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers based on either polyether or polycarbonate (PC)-glycols, 4,4’-dipheylmethane diisocyanate (1,1’-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene)), 1,4-butanediol, were controlled by restriction of crystallization of polymer glycols. For the polyether glycol based-polyurethane elastomers (PUEs), poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol (PTMG), and PTMG incorporating dimethyl groups (PTG-X) and methyl side groups (PTG-L) were employed as a polymer glycol. For the PC-glycol, the randomly copolymerized PC-glycols with hexamethylene (C6) and tetramethylene (C4) units between carbonate groups with various composition ratios (C4/C6 = 0/100, 50/50, 70/30 and 90/10) were employed. The degree of microphase separation and mechanical properties of both the PUEs were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic viscoelastic property measurements and tensile testing. Mechanical properties could be controlled by changing the molar ratio of two different monomer components. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/12/5097/ Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 CET Materials 2010-12-01 3 12 Review 5097 5110 1996-1944 Control of Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers by Restriction of Crystallization of Soft Segment 2010-12-01 doi: 10.3390/ma3125097 Ken Kojio Mutsuhisa Furukawa Yoshiteru Nonaka Sadaharu Nakamura