Synthetic scheme to increase the abrasion resistance of waterborne polyurethane-urea by controlling micro-phase separation

As an environmental-friendly coating material in industry, waterborne polyurethane-urea (WPU) is still not comparable with solvent-based polyurethane (SPU) in mechanical properties, due to the hydrophilic chain-extender. Herein, a synthetic scheme to increase the abrasion resistance of WPU with ether diol, and conventional hydrophilic chain-extender (DMBA, 2,2-bis [hydroxymethyl]butanoic acid) is revealed. This study discuss the degree of micro-phase separation (DPS) with toughness, elongation, abrasion resistance, and compared with the WPU contain various types of diol, such as esters, ether and carbonates, and the ether-based SPU. From the results, the major factor that affect to the abrasion properties of WPU is DPS, which is highly depend on the chemical structure of diol, and hard segment content. WPU film achieve higher toughness with ether-based diol with higher DPS, and better abrasion resistance than SPU. This study demonstrate a strategy for the composition designing, and the synthesis of high-abrasion resistance WPU by controlling the micro-phase separation, and content of DMBA without any inorganic fillers.

Automated summary

By using ether diol and traditional hydrophilic chain-extender, the abrasion resistance of WPU can be increased, with micro-phase separation having a significant impact on abrasion properties. The use of ether-based diol can enhance the toughness and abrasion resistance of WPU.