Characterization of waterborne polyurethane for ecofriendly functional floor plate

Three types of nonmetallic mineral particles (CaCO3, TiO2 and loess) were incorporated into waterborne polyurethane acrylate (PUA) to improve the surface properties of ecofriendly floor tiles. Several properties of PUA containing nonmetallic mineral materials were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), a dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA), swelling tests, and contact angle measurement. Upon decreasing the molecular weight between crosslinks (variation of molecular weight of the polyol), the modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PUA film increased because of the increase in crosslinking density. Resistance properties such as swelling and contact angle against water were enhanced with the addition of nonmetallic mineral particles because of the increase in the hydrophobic nature of the polymer matrix.