Waterborne polyurethane dispersions obtained with polycarbonate of hexanediol intended for use as coatings

Abstract Three waterborne polyurethane dispersions derived from polycarbonate of hexanediol (PCD) with molecular weight of 1000 Da were synthesized by the acetone method and used as coatings for stainless steel plates. Different hard segments content in the polyurethanes were obtained by varying the isocyanate/macroglycol (NCO/OH) molar ratio. A decrease in the NCO/OH ratio produced an increase in the mean particle size as well as a decrease in the Brookfield viscosity of the dispersions. Furthermore, the greater the NCO/OH ratio the higher the urea and urethane hard segment content, the higher the glass transition temperature value and the higher the elastic modulus of the polyurethane was. On the other hand, the NCO/OH ratio affected the adhesion of the polyurethanes. The adhesion was evaluated by using three different procedures: T-peel strength tests of flexible PVC/waterborne polyurethane dispersion/flexible PVC joints; single lap-shear tests of aluminium/waterborne polyurethane dispersion/aluminium joints and cross-cutter adhesion test of polyurethane coatings on stainless steel pieces. Finally, several properties of the polyurethane coatings on stainless steel pieces were tested including Persoz hardness, gloss, chemical resistance and yellowness index.