Waterborne Polyurethane: Effect of Functional Groups in Aromatic Isocyanate and the Chain Length of Hydroxyl Terminated Natural Rubber

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) has its main applications in coatings and adhesives. Compared with the competing PU products from solvent-based processes, it has a more environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Its economic competitiveness could also be improved by the use of aromatic isocyanates that are widely available and cheaper than the currently used aliphatic isocyanates. We report on the synthesis and properties of WPU, based on natural rubber (NR) whose molecular structure has been altered, in combination with an aromatic isocyanate. The NR modification is by hydroxyl termination, with experiments using two chain lengths (HT600 and HT1000, named after molecular weight). The aromatic isocyanates used are 4,4’-Methylene bis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanate (p-MDI). The synthesized chemical structure is characterized using ATR-FTIR, while the key material properties reported here are the pH value, mean particle size and size distribution, and glass transition temperature. The WPU achieved suitable material properties, with small particles sizes and good dispersion, for applications in coatings.