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Abstract

Thermoplastic copolyesters (TPE-Es) are multi-block copolymers commonly incorporating hard (polyester) and soft (polyether) blocks. Multifunctional epoxy-based chain extenders (TGDDM) are one of the additives that serve to reverse molecular weight (MW) damage caused by the process of hydrolysis of TPE-E. There are two functional groups that are capable of additional reactions on the terminal hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of TPE-E. Considering the hydrogen bonded hard segments in hard domains are less susceptible to hydrolysis compared to the non-hydrogen bonded equivalents, the phase separated morphology of polyether-polyester copolymers based TGDDM also provides to the longterm stability. The molecular weight of TPE-E was determined by GPC and the thermal and tensile behaviors were investigated.