Hybridization of aqueous-based polyurethane with glycidyl methacrylate copolymer

The carboxyl group containing aqueous-based polyurethane (PU) dispersions w ere prepared from isophorone diisocyanate, poly(propylene glycol)-1000, and 2,2-dimethylol propanic acid via a PU prepolymer process. The amino conten t of this amino-terminated aqueous-based PU system was determined by a styr ene oxide titration method. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymer emulsions were prepared by an emulsion polymerization of GMA and other alkyl acrylat es. The curing behavior of the GMA copolymer was demonstrated by a model re action of the GMA copolymer with ethylenediamine. In the same token, the re action took place between the PU amino groups and the GMA copolymer epoxide s at ambient temperature and resulted in the formation of a hybridized homo geneous copolymer. This hybridized copolymer also consisted of carboxylic a cid on the PU fi action after drying. Carboxylic acids of the copolymer wer e exchanged with calcium ion and this ionic coordination resulted in a calc ium ion-crosslinked copolymer. The physical and mechanical properties and t he thermal behaviors of the hybridized copolymers were evaluated. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.