The effect of acrylate on structure and properties of waterborne polyurethane porous coated fabrics

Porous-coated fabrics used for synthetic leather were prepared by mechanical foaming method using blends of waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) and polyacrylate (AC). The effect of AC on structure and properties of WPU/AC coated fabrics was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that there is hydrogen bonding between WPU and AC and the compatibility of the blend system gets worse after AC/WPU ratio is higher than 30/70. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the thermal stability of porous coatings is improved with increasing AC. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that porous coatings have semi-open cellular structure with a great number of surface pores and window pores, imparting excellent air permeability and water vapor permeability to coated fabrics. On the basis of morphology analysis, the forming process of cell structure of WPU/AC coated fabrics was proposed. Performance tests showed that the overall performance of coated fabrics is best with AC/WPU ratio ranging from 15/85 to 30/70. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45783. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.