Coatings prepared from waterborne polyurethane dispersions obtained with polycarbonates of 1,6-hexanediol of different molecular weights

Waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) were synthesized with polycarbonates of 1,6-hexanediol of different molecular weight (500–3000 Da) and their properties, adhesion (Hatch adhesion) and coatings on stainless steel properties (Pencil hardness, Persoz hardness, gloss at 60°, chemical resistance, yellowness index) were characterized. The hatch adhesion of the polyurethane coatings to stainless steel was very good and decreased slightly by increasing the molecular weight of the polycarbonate of 1,6-hexanediol. Both the Pencil and Persoz hardness values of the coatings increased by increasing the hard segments content in the polyurethane, i.e. by decreasing the molecular weight of the polycarbonate of 1,6-hexanediol, whereas the gloss and the yellowness index were lower for the coatings obtained with the polycarbonate of 1,6-hexanediol of molecular weight of 500 Da. Very good chemical resistance against ethanol for all polyurethane coatings on stainless steel plates was obtained but for long time of ethanol in contact with the coating surface the chemical resistance decreased, more markedly for the polyurethane coating obtained with the polycarbonate of 1,6-hexanediol of higher molecular weight. In summary, the segmented structure of the waterborne polyurethane dispersion determined the properties of the polyurethane coatings obtained from them.