Preparation and characterization of biobased polyamide 36,10 elastomer and its foam

Biobased recyclable elastomers are interesting sustainable alternatives to existing fossil fuel-based and/or non-recyclable elastomers in diverse applications. Herein, a novel biobased thermoplastic elastomer, polyamide 36,10 (PA36,10), is synthesized by one-pot condensation polymerization without the use of harmful chemicals or solvents. Its chemical structure and molecular weights are characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and gel permeation chromatography. The glass transition temperature and melting temperature of the PA36,10, determined from differential scanning calorimetry, are −4 and 95 °C, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation at break are 16.80 ± 0.18 MPa and 1636 ± 108%, with Shore A and Shore D hardnesses of 97 and 47, as well as relatively good resilience. PA36,10 is foamed by extrusion using a 3 wt.% common blowing agent, ammonium bicarbonate. The resulting foam shows a bulk density of 0.67 ± 0.16 g.cm⁻³, with a compressive yield strength of 5.61 ± 0.71 MPa. The new biobased recyclable PA36,10 may find various potential applications in the elastomers industry.