Waterborne polyurethanes/acrylic hybrids

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethane/acrylate hybrids have attracted significant attention due to some features, such as low toxicity, environmental compatibility, and enhanced physical and chemical properties. In comparison with neat WBPUs, WBPU/acrylate hybrids exhibit improved properties, including solvent and alkali resistance and thermal, mechanical and thermos-mechanical properties. Furthermore, the fabrication of WBPU/acrylate hybrids overcomes the polyurethane/ polyacrylate blend problems like phase separation. The WBPU/acrylate hybrids are prepared by a strong chemical bond between the two components of waterborne polyurethane and acrylate monomers. These hybrids are synthesized by different approaches such as interpenetrating networks, seeded emulsion, and semi-emulsion polymerization. In addition, recently, to reduce the toxicity effect of isocyanates, a non-isocyanate method has been also developed to synthesize WBPU/acrylate hybrids. WBPU/acrylate hybrids have outstanding performances, such as excellent adhesion to the substrates, weather stability, durability, flexibility, and abrasion resistance. The purpose of this book chapter is to study raw materials, the synthesis methods, properties, and applications of the waterborne polyurethane/acrylate hybrids. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.