Abstract
The effect of the isocyanate index (NCO index) on the particle size and particle size distribution of a waterborne polyurethane dispersion (WPUD) with polycarbonate-diol was determined. The WPUDs were prepared using a conventional acetone process with polycarbonate-polyol (Mn = 2028), 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H12MDI), 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA), and dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst. At NCO index values below 1.5, the number average particle diameter of the WPUDs significantly increased with the NCO index, whereas the particle diameter slightly varied at higher NCO indexes. The dependency of the WPUD viscosity on the NCO index exhibited similar behavior to that of the particle size. The relative values of the full width at half maximum of the WPUD particle distribution curves at various NCO indexes were not influenced by the NCO index.
Keywords: polycarbonate-polyol;polyurethane dispersion;NCO index;particle size;viscosity