Investigation of ultraviolet curable waterborne polyurethane acrylate dispersion based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene

Abstract

A new kind of ultraviolet (UV) curable waterborne polyurethane acrylate dispersion was synthesized based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), poly-(propylene glycol) (PPG), isophorene diisocyanate (IPDI), 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate (HEA) and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) after neutralizing by triethylamine (TEA). 2-Hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]-2-methyl-lpropanone (Irgacure 2959) was used as a photoinitiator and deionized water as a diluent. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was used to identify the chain structure of the UV-curable polyurethane prepolymer based on HTPB and the curing process. Effects of relative content of HTPB and PPG on emulsion stability, resistance to water and ethanol, thermal stability, compatibility of soft and hard segment, as well as the mechanical property of the cured film were investigated.