Application of graft copolymers using macromonomer method to two-component polyurethane coatings

Abstract Graft copolymers as acrylic polyols in two-component polyurethane coatings were prepared by the free-radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate, n -butyl methacrylate, n -butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and poly(methyl methacrylate)-macromonomers. The poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer was prepared by the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of thiopropionic acid as a transfer agent followed by the reaction with glycidyl methacrylate. These polymers, whose numbers of poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer branches and the molecular weights of the poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer branches were controlled, offer an advantage over conventional resins with respect to the application/appearance of coatings as well as the final film properties. Some of these advantages were higher solids and a better control of the coating rheology, an increase in the cross-linking reactivity of the polyols with polyisocyanate and improvement in film toughness. The change in the morphological structure of the films under tensile stress was of particular interest.