ES3034831T3 - Absorbent polymeric material, method for producing same and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a polymeric material with expansive properties and its production, which can be incorporated into protective products and equipment to absorb impact energy in a collision. This material can be used in helmets for motorcyclists and athletes, bulletproof vests, knee pads, elbow pads, protective footwear, and any other personal protective product. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Absorbent polymeric material, method for producing the same and uses thereof

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a polymeric material with dilatant properties and its production, such that it can be incorporated into protective products/equipment to absorb the impact energy resulting from a collision. The invention is set forth in the attached set of claims.

Technical background

Protective products and equipment are extremely important and vital to the safety and protection of people to prevent serious damage or injury resulting from an impact or collision.

In recent decades, the development of protective materials has experienced significant technological advancements, with various types of materials currently being used, such as foams, fibers, and polymer composites. Despite significant development efforts, the materials used do not effectively prevent collateral damage/injuries resulting from impacts. This situation occurs because the materials used do not have sufficient capacity to absorb the impact energy that arises during a collision; this energy is absorbed by the user's body, causing serious injuries or even death. Furthermore, these types of materials are generally heavy, rigid, quite inflexible, and quite unergonomic.

The use of these types of materials has different approaches to absorbing impact energy in protective products. In the case of fibers and polymer composites, these are intended to prevent penetration/perforation, do not prevent deflection, and, in some cases, result in complete rupture of the fibers and polymer composites. In the case of foams, their purpose is to absorb impact energy caused by impact, but they do not prevent perforation. The use of materials with dilatant properties (non-Newtonian fluids) is intended to encourage the materials to react when subjected to impact, significantly improving the impact energy absorption capacity of protective products.

Recently, there has been a strong research and development interest in the use of dilatant fluids as a material to be incorporated into personal protective equipment. Non-Newtonian fluids are often referred to as dilatant materials. Dilatant fluids are materials whose properties depend solely on the intensity of the applied stress; that is, these materials demonstrate an increase in viscosity with increasing applied stress. Dilatance is a rheological property common to several polymer systems, although it does not occur in pure polymers and, unlike pseudoplasticity, depends on the polymer system considered: solution, suspension, dispersion, or emulsion, and is not restricted to a specific particle size.

The development of dilatant fluids and their combination with various types of materials has also been studied. The combination of Kevlar fibers and colloidal mixtures using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silica, talc, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanoparticles allows for increased impact protection. Colloidal solutions such as clay, quartz, iron oxide, limestone shale, titanium dioxide, alumina, hematite, and barium sulfate have already been studied. Non-Newtonian fluids can also be obtained with blood cells, starch, wheat, and corn starch. Polymers have also been used to produce colloidal solutions; In this case, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanoparticles, poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PS-AN), polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(styrene-ethyl acrylate) (PS-EA) and carbon nanofibers, poly(t-butylstyrene) in mineral oil (3 g/dl), suspension data of styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer (15% by volume) in aqueous solutions of poly(acrylic acid) (1% by weight). Other colloidal solutions studied in the literature were the mixture of poly(styrene-acrylic acid) nanospheres and polyethylene glycol. In the same study, the mixture of poly(styrene-acrylic acid-divinylbenzene) nanospheres in the same liquid was evaluated. Other dilatant materials are polymeric silicones, such as siloxanes, borate, or polyborodimethylsiloxane (PBDMS) in polyurethane or synthetic elastomers.

EP1897609 A2 relates to a composite material comprising a non-Newtonian fluid, wherein it is combined with an immiscible or partially miscible material and wherein the non-Newtonian fluid comprises a suspending fluid and suspended particles having a dimension of less than 10 pm.

Document WO2004103231 A1 describes a product capable of dissipating kinetic energy from a moving object, such as a projectile, and comprises a material having fibers impregnated with particles (polymers, oxides, minerals) suspended in a solvent. These fibers can be made of aramid, carbon, nylon, high molecular weight polyethylene, or glass.

Document WO2008115636 A2 describes the production of hollow plastic fibers in which a dilatant fluid is incorporated, the fluids used are based on colloidal systems, more specifically a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silica powder.

Document US20050037189 A1 describes a dilatant fluid capable of being encapsulated in an elastomeric matrix, more specifically in a closed-cell foam, where the dilatant fluid is a mixture of a polyurethane foam with polyborodimethylsiloxane (PBDMS) incorporated into an elastomeric polyurethane foam. BAE Systems is attempting to develop a solution that combines Kevlar fibers with dilatant fluids (this fluid is composed of ethylene glycol and silica).

US20070256597 discloses poly(ureaurethane)s including a reaction product of components comprising: (a) about 1 equivalent of at least one polyisocyanate; (b) from about 0.1 to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one branched polyol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups; (c) from about 0.1 to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one aliphatic diol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; and (d) at least one amine curing agent, wherein the reaction product components are essentially free of polyester polyol and polyether polyol; compositions, coatings and articles made thereof and methods of making the same.

However, in the cases cited there are situations where the dilatant fluid must be contained or wrapped in a type of fabric or material and, due to its nature, it is not self-sufficient, the resulting products have little flexibility and, in other cases cited, the manufacturing processes are relatively complex and expensive.

These documents illustrate the technical problem to be solved by this disclosure.

Overview

The invention is defined by a polymeric material and a process as defined in claims 1 and 13, respectively. The present disclosure relates to energy-absorbing polymeric materials used in systems designed for personal protection, specifically protective equipment, and the respective process for obtaining them using materials that have dilatant properties. The present disclosure also relates to the process for obtaining the energy-absorbing polymeric material.

This disclosure relates to the development of a non-Newtonian fluid and the process of obtaining the same using materials that have a renewable source and its applicability.

The present disclosure relates to a composite material comprising the development of a non-Newtonian fluid, wherein it can be combined with various materials and by various techniques.

A non-Newtonian fluid is a material whose shear stress is directly proportional to the strain rate and, consequently, may not exhibit a well-defined viscosity. This material exhibits a unique characteristic: its viscosity increases with increasing applied stress. These materials tend to exhibit solid-like behavior for a small fraction of the time when high shear stress is applied.

Another major advantage of this type of material is the reversibility of deformations. The properties of this material depend on the volume, distribution, size, and shape of the particles, the viscosity of the support, and the mixture. Under the action of a shear force, it transforms from a two-dimensional structure (where the particles are organized in layers) to a random 3D structure. The dilatant fluid absorbs the impact energy, which is then distributed over the largest possible area, thereby reducing the fracture area of the material.

The present solution also relates to a production process for obtaining a non-Newtonian fluid, using materials from a renewable source. This fluid is obtained through a chemical reaction between several components to obtain a single material. The addition reaction is a polymerization reaction that increases the molecular weight of a particular polymer chain without releasing any chemical species. The material presented is malleable and flexible without the application of stress; when stress is applied, the material reacts to the applied stress, rendering it rigid.

The present disclosure relates to a polymeric material for absorbing and dissipating kinetic energy comprising:

40-60% (w/w) of an isocyanate having a molecular weight between 100-1000 g/mol; preferably 100-500 g/mol; preferably 200-400 g/mol;

35-55% (w/w) of a polyol having a molecular weight of 30-6000 g/mol; preferably 60-300 g/mol; wherein the combination of isocyanate and polyol comprises 2 to 5 reactive groups;

wherein the polyol is selected from the following list: 1,2-propanediol, glycerol, 1,2-ethanediol, and mixtures thereof;

1-7% (w/w) of a plasticizer having a molecular weight of 50-6000 g/mol; preferably 80-3000 g/mol, selected from the following list: castor oil, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and mixtures thereof;

and an amine, a carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof, comprising 1-3% (w/w) of an amine or 1-3% (w/w) of a carboxylic acid.

The polymeric material of the present disclosure dissipates energy/impact more effectively than other alternatives, its performance being approximately 8-10 times higher than available alternatives.

In the invention for best results, the polymeric material comprises 40-60% (w/w) isocyanate.

In one embodiment for best results, the reactive groups of the polymeric material may be selected from the following list: isocyanate, hydroxyl, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment for best results, the isocyanate may be selected from the following list: 4,4'-diphenylmethane/1,1'-methylene bis(4-isocyanatobenzene) diisocyanate, 2,4'-diphenylmethane/1-isocyanato-2-(4-phenylisocyanato)methylbenzene diisocyanate, 2,2'-diphenylmethane/1,1'-methylene bis(2-isocyanatobenzene) diisocyanate, 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane/1,1'-methylene-bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane) diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate/1,5-diisocyanatonaphthalene, triphenylmethane-4,4',4"-triisocyanate/1,1',1"-methylene tris(4-isocyanatobenzene), meta-tetramethylxylene/bis(isocyanato-1-methyl-1-ethyl)-1,3-benzene, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI)/5-isocyanato-1-(methylisocyanato)-1,3,3'-trimethylcyclohexane, hexamethylene diisocyanate/1,6-diisocyanatohexane and poly(diphenylmethane diisocyanate) (PMDI) and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment for best results, the isocyanate may be selected from the following list: 4,4'-diphenylmethane/1,1'-methylene bis(4-isocyanatobenzene) diisocyanate, 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane/1,1'-methylene bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane) diisocyanate, poly(diphenylmethane diisocyanate) and mixtures thereof.

In the invention for best results, the polymeric material comprises 35-55% (w/w) polyol.

In one embodiment for best results, the polyol may be selected from the following list: 1,2-propanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, glycerol, 1,2-ethanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, erythritol, sorbitol, diethylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, polyether triol, polyester triol, co-polyether triol, α-methylglucoside, fructose, glucose, ribitol, xylitol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, Mannich polyols, novolac-based polyether polyols, melamine-based polyols, and mixtures thereof.

In the invention for best results, and in order to achieve even more superior results, the polyol is selected from the following list: 1,2-propanediol, glycerol, 1,2-ethanediol, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment for better results, and in order to achieve even higher results, the polyol comprises at least 2 reactive groups.

In the invention for best results, the polymeric material comprises a plasticizer in a concentration between 1-7% (w/w).

In the invention for best results, said plasticizer is selected from the following list: castor oil, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and mixtures thereof.

In the invention for better results, the polymeric material also comprises an amine, a carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

In the invention for best results, the polymeric material comprises 1-3% (w/w) of an amine or 1-3% (w/w) of a carboxylic acid.

In one embodiment for best results, the amine may be selected from the following list: triethanolamine, ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, ortho-toluenediamine, dimethylaminoethanol, dimethylaniline, dimethylbenzylamine, diethylmethylbenzenediamine, imidazole, dimethylalkylamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and substitutes and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment for better results, and in order to achieve even more superior results, the amine may be diethylmethylbenzenediamine, ethylenediamine, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment for best results, the carboxylic acid may be selected from the following list: acetic acid, ethanedioic acid, propanedioic acid, pentanedioic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, butanedioic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment for better results, and in order to achieve even more superior results, the carboxylic acid may be ethanedioic acid, propanedioic acid and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment for best results, the polymeric material may comprise a plurality of layers.

In one embodiment for best results, the polymeric material may be encapsulated, preferably by a layer of liquid silicone.

In one embodiment for better results, the polymeric material may comprise a layer of a 3D fabric, in particular as a covering layer.

In one embodiment for better results, the polymeric material can be blended with thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polyurethane systems.

In one embodiment for best results, the polymeric material can be blended with thermoplastic polymers (ethylvinyl acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride), thermosetting polymers and elastomers (TPU) by conventional polymer processing techniques, in particular extrusion and injection.

The present disclosure also relates to an article that may comprise the polymeric material described above, and said article may be a motorcycle or sports helmet, bulletproof vest, knee pad, elbow pad, back protectors, gloves, shoe protectors, and protective equipment.

The present disclosure also relates to a process for producing a polymeric material, of the present invention, comprising the following steps:

mixing an isocyanate with a polyol at a temperature between 25°C-80°C;

add a plasticizer, an amine and/or a carboxylic acid to the premix;

mix the premix at a mixing speed between 50-2000 rpm for 1-240 minutes in a temperature range between 25-80°C;

perform the pre-vacuum stages;

placing the produced material in an oven for a period of time, preferably between 1 and 36 hours, at an oven temperature ranging from 30 to 100°C, in particular from 30 to 80°C; preferably, the polymeric material is kept in a closed system and preferably in an environment with low humidity.

In the invention, for better results, the process may also comprise a step of encapsulating the polymeric material.

The polymeric material disclosed in this invention exhibits enhanced impact energy absorption and dissipation capabilities, such that it can be incorporated into personal protective equipment to promote the reduction of serious injuries caused by impacts and/or collisions. The use of this material clearly makes protective equipment lighter, more flexible, and more effective at absorbing impact energy, making the protective equipment more comfortable, ergonomic, safe, and user-friendly.

Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and variations thereof are not intended to exclude other technical features, such as other components or steps. Additional objects, advantages, and features of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description or may be understood by practicing the disclosure. The following examples and figures are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

Brief description of the drawings

For easier understanding, the attached drawings are incorporated representing preferred embodiments without intending to limit the scope of this description.

Figure 1 shows the force transmission values (according to EN20344:2011 standard) of commercial materials and the polymeric material disclosed according to example III (Polyanswer).

Detailed description

The purpose of this disclosure is to develop new polymeric materials for impact energy absorption that can be used in systems and/or equipment designed to protect people. The solution now disclosed allows for greater absorption of impact energy by the material, allowing less energy to be transmitted to the user. The resulting reduction in trauma and injuries that can occur from impacts and blows is intended.

The present disclosure presents a novel material, specifically a dilatant fluid, along with the method of producing and using it. The percentage of fluid incorporated into a formulation/composition will depend on the type of application, the process, and economic factors.

In one embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure are the result of a polyaddition reaction, which combines several materials in the same polymer chain, such as isocyanates, polyols, amines, carboxylic acids. In this way, different compounds are added along the chain with the aim of producing a material with a specific property, in particular one that has the property of absorbing and dissipating energy resulting from high-speed impact.

In one embodiment, in order for the disclosed product to exhibit the property of a material with dilatant properties, it is necessary to use isocyanate compounds, with the chemical formula R-N=C=O, which confer rigidity to the polymer chain to be produced. Polyols must be added to the reaction. Based on the requirement to increase or decrease rigidity, amines and carbonic acids with three or more functional groups must be added. Materials with three functional groups have the function of crosslinking, i.e., joining different molecular chains. This linking allows not only to increase the distribution of impact energy, but also to increase the resistance of the final material to applied loads. To increase the flexibility and resistance of the chain, polyols, amines, or carbonic acids must also be added.

In one embodiment, in order to produce the polymeric material disclosed herein, the aforementioned reagents may be added simultaneously or sequentially during the reaction.

In one embodiment, the production of this polymeric material can be carried out in a rotary mixer or in a single or twin screw extruder, comprising the following steps:

mix the isocyanate with the polyol beforehand;

Add a plasticizer to the formulation, and an amine and/or a carboxylic acid may also be added; add the compounds simultaneously or sequentially;

apply a mixing speed between 50-2000 revolutions per minute (rpm), preferably between 100-1000 rpm, most preferably between 100-400 rpm;

the production process of the material comprises a duration of between 1-240 minutes, preferably between 30-200 minutes, most preferably between 90-180 minutes;

The temperature of the production process comprises a temperature range between 10-120°C, preferably between 20-100°C, most preferably between 30-80°C;

During the production process of the polymeric material the system is under vacuum;

After the production of the polymeric material, it must be left to stand in an oven for a certain time, comprising between 1-36 hours, preferably between 3-30 hours, most preferably between 5-24 hours, at an oven temperature comprising a range of 30-100°C;

keep the polymeric material in a closed system and preferably in an environment that has low humidity.

This disclosure is illustrated by reference to the following examples, which will aid in its understanding and should not be construed as limitations thereof. All percentages described are by weight (mass), unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius.

Example I. This refers to the formulation of the polymeric material of the present disclosure having 57% isocyanate and obtained starting from the initial formulation shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Formulation of the polymeric material that has 57% isocyanate in the final solution.

Premix the components (isocyanate, polyol, amine, and acid) at a temperature of 25°C. Add the formulation to the rotary mixer at a mixing speed of 200 rpm for 180 minutes at a temperature of 50°C. After 120 minutes of polymer production, the plasticizer, which in this case is polyethylene glycol, is added. The entire production process is carried out under vacuum to ensure that the gases produced by the reaction and moisture do not affect the quality of the resulting material.

After production, the polymer material is transferred to an oven at a temperature of 60°C for 24 hours. The polymer material is then kept in a closed system with low humidity.

Example II. This relates to the formulation of the polymeric material of the present disclosure having 52.0% isocyanate and obtained starting from the initial formulation shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Formulation of the polymeric material that has 52.0% isocyanate in the final solution.

The polymer production process is carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, in the same order and using the same equipment.

Example III. This refers to the formulation of the polymeric material (reference example) of the present disclosure having 42.5% isocyanate and obtained starting from the initial formulation shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Formulation of the polymeric material having 42.5% isocyanate in the final solution (comparative example).

The polymer production process is carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, in the same order and using the same equipment.

Table 4: Formulation of the polymeric material that has 47.5% isocyanate in the final solution.

In one embodiment, the components (isocyanate and polyol) are premixed at a temperature of 25°C. The formulation is added to the rotary mixer at a mixing speed of 150 rpm for 180 minutes at a temperature of 50°C. After 120 minutes of producing the polymeric material, the amine (ethylenediamine) is added. After 150 minutes, the plasticizer (castor oil) is added. The entire production process is carried out under vacuum to ensure that the gases produced by the reaction and moisture do not affect the quality of the resulting material.

In one embodiment, after production, the polymer material is transferred to an oven at a temperature of 100°C for 24 hours. The polymer material is then kept in a closed system with low humidity.

In one embodiment, the polymeric material of the present invention having non-Newtonian fluid properties as set forth in the claims may be encapsulated or coated with silicone or polyurethane based paints, and may even be incorporated into polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers) and/or thermoplastic and/or thermoset polyurethane systems by means of conventional processing techniques.

In one embodiment, after curing, the polymeric material of the present invention can be coated with a layer of silicone- or polyurethane-based paint that serves to confine and protect the material. This application can be carried out using an artist's or decorator's brush, or by means of a robot. After coating the polymeric material, a new layer of 3D fabric can be added, particularly as a cover layer.

In one embodiment, the incorporation of the material of the present invention into polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers) or into thermoplastic and/or thermoset polyurethane systems is possible by mixing it with these materials. The formulations of the composite materials comprise a percentage of incorporation of dilatant polymeric material of the present invention of between 5-80% (w/w), more preferably between 5-50% (w/w) of the total weight of the formulation.

In one embodiment, a blend of the polymeric material of the present invention was made with a thermosetting polyurethane system wherein the formulation comprises 50% polymeric material. The test was carried out according to EN20344:2011, applying an impact force of 50 kN. The graph and table below show the force transmission values (kN) of some materials used in the market. It is concluded that the product of the present teaching (Polyanswer body (6 mm)) shows a greater energy absorption capacity, that is, it transmits less impact force, translating into greater protection capacity. This value was achieved using a thickness smaller than that used in commercial materials.

Table I shows the force transmission values (according to standard EN20344:2011) of the commercial materials and the polymeric material disclosed according to example III (Polyanswer).

Table 5: Force transmission values (according to EN20344:2011 standard) of the commercial materials and the polymeric material disclosed according to example III which is a comparative example (designated by the name Polyanswer).

The material in this disclosure can be used in motorcycle and sports helmets, bulletproof vests, knee pads, elbow pads, protective footwear, and any other personal protective product.

In Figure 1 it can be observed that the polymeric material of the present invention, in particular, example 3, achieves an improvement in energy dissipation when compared to other materials, specifically according to the EN20344:2011 or EN1621-1 standards (comparison with a 10 joule test), the energy dissipation, in both standards, is approximately 8-10 times lower than the available solutions.

Claims (13)

1. Polymeric material for absorbing and dissipating kinetic energy comprising: 40-60% (w/w) of an isocyanate having a molecular weight between 100-1000 g/mol; preferably 100-500 g/mol; preferably 200-400 g/mol; 35-55% (w/w) of a polyol having a molecular weight of 30-6000 g/mol; preferably 60-300 g/mol; wherein the combination of isocyanate and polyol comprises 2 to 5 reactive groups; wherein the polyol is selected from the following list: 1,2-propanediol, glycerol, 1,2-ethanediol, and mixtures thereof; 1-7% (w/w) of a plasticizer having a molecular weight of 50-6000 g/mol, selected from the following list: castor oil, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and mixtures thereof; and an amine, a carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof, comprising 1-3% (w/w) of an amine or 1-3% (w/w) of a carboxylic acid. 2. Polymeric material according to the previous claim, wherein the isocyanate is selected from a list consisting of: 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 2,2'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, triphenylmethane-4,4',4"-triisocyanate, meta-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, and poly(diphenylmethane diisocyanate), and mixtures thereof. 3. Polymeric material according to the previous claim, wherein the isocyanate is selected from a list consisting of: 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, poly(diphenylmethane diisocyanate), and mixtures thereof. 4. Polymeric material according to claims 1-2, wherein the amine is selected from the following list: triethanolamine, ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, ortho-toluenediamine, dimethylaminoethanol, dimethylaniline, dimethylbenzylamine, diethylmethylbenzenediamine, imidazole, dimethylalkylamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, or mixtures thereof. 5. Polymeric material according to claims 1-4, wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from the following list: acetic acid, ethanedioic acid, propanedioic acid, pentanedioic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, butanedioic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, or mixtures thereof. 6. Polymeric material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric material comprises a plurality of layers. 7. Polymeric material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric material is encapsulated, preferably by a layer of liquid silicone. 8. Polymeric material according to claims 6-7, wherein the material comprises a layer of a 3D fabric, in particular as a covering layer. 9. Polymeric material according to claims 6-8, wherein the polymeric material is mixed with thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polyurethane systems. 10. A polymeric material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric material is blended with at least one of the following materials: thermoplastic polymers, such as ethyl vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride; thermosetting polymers, such as polyurea; elastomers such as TPU. 11. Article comprising the polymeric material described in any of claims 1-10. 12. Article according to the previous claim, wherein the article is a motorcycle or sports helmet, bulletproof vest, knee pad, elbow pad, back protectors, gloves, shoe protectors, and protective equipment. 13. Process for producing a polymeric material described in any of the previous claims, comprising the following steps: mixing 40-60% (w/w) of an isocyanate having a molecular weight between 100-1000 g/mol; preferably 100-500 g/mol; preferably 200-400 g/mol, with 35-55% (w/w) of a polyol having a molecular weight of 30-6000 g/mol; preferably 60-300 g/mol, at a temperature between 25°C-80°C; adding to the premix 1-7% (w/w) of a plasticizer having a molecular weight of 50-6000 g/mol, and furthermore an amine, a carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof, comprising 1-3% (w/w) of an amine or 1-3% (w/w) of a carboxylic acid; mixing the pre-mix under vacuum at a speed between 50-2000 rpm for 1-240 minutes, and in a temperature range between 25-80°C; allowing the produced material to rest, preferably in an oven between 30-100°C for 1-36 hours, optionally also comprising encapsulation of the polymeric material; wherein the combination of isocyanate and polyol comprises 2 to 5 reactive groups; wherein the polyol is selected from the following list: 1,2-propanediol, glycerol, 1,2-ethanediol, and mixtures thereof; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the following list: castor oil, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and mixtures thereof.