Preparation and characterization of low gloss aqueous coating via forming self-roughed surface based on waterborne polyurethane acrylate hybrid emulsion

Abstract

Abstract A series of low gloss waterborne polyurethane acrylate (WPUA) hybrid emulsions with different weight ratios of hard/soft monomers of acrylic monomers were synthesized successfully. Compared with the traditional low gloss coatings that achieve low gloss effects by adding a large number of pigments, fillers or both to roughen the surfaces, the low gloss effect of these WPUA emulsions was achieved through the formation of self-roughed surfaces during film formation with zero loading of extraneous dulling agent. Gloss levels could be as low as 3 units at 60° incident angle. The chemical structures of these WPUA films were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance carbon spectroscopy ( 13 C NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The rough surface topographies of these WPUA films were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size distributions of these WPUA emulsions were analyzed by DLS measurement. The polymeric phase separation behaviors of these WPUA films were assessed by DSC analysis. In general, the WPUA emulsions that afforded films with good hardness, good adhesion strengths and excellent thermal stabilities, showed a great advantage in applications of low gloss aqueous coating.