Preparation and properties of crosslinkable waterborne polyurethanes containing aminoplast

In order to improve the water swelling, thermal/mechanical and adhesion properties of waterborne polyurethane (WBPU), a series of the crosslinkable WBPUs containing hydrophilic ionic component, dimethylol propionic acid (20 mole%), were prepared by in-situ polymerization using a cross-linker hexakis (methoxymethyl) melamine (HMMM). Effects of the HMMM content (2, 4, and 6 wt%) and curing temperature on these properties of the crosslinked WBPUs samples were investigated. All properties were found to increase with increasing HMMM content. It was found that the optimum curing temperature of the WBPU films and adhesives was near 120°C, which was not dependent on the HMMM content.