Segmented copolymers based on poly(ethylene adipate) or poly(hexamethylene carbonate) soft segments and short terephthalamide or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxamide hard segments were prepared by a condensation polymerisation in solution. The polymers were characterised by NMR, IR, GPC, DSC, DMTA and tensile tests. A comparison of several soft segments revealed that the polyester soft segment led to materials with relatively poor elastic recovery, whereas the polymers possessing short aramid hard segments and polycarbonate soft segments showed high elongations at break (820-940%) and good tensile set values (38%). (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.