Effect of nanosilica on the properties of polyester‐based polyurethane

Polyester‐based polyurethanes with embedded nanosilica particles were prepared. The viscosity of polyester resins without and with nanosilica was determined by rheoviscometry. The morphology and mechanical and optical properties of the polyurethane coatings were studied intensively with a transmission electron microscope, a pendulum hardness tester, a scanning probe microscope, an Instron testing machine, an abrader and an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The viscosity of the polyester resins increased as the nanosilica content increased. Nanosilica could basically be dispersed into the polyester and its polyurethane on a nanoscale. The addition of a small amount of nanosilica increased the hardness, abrasion resistance, and tensile properties of the polymer films. However, these mechanical properties could be worsened at higher nanosilica contents. The ultraviolet–visible spectra showed that the absorbance and reflection of ultraviolet–visible light by the polyurethane films increased as the nano‐SiO₂ content increased, especially at wavelengths of 290–400 nm. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 189–193, 2003     

Tribological and mechanical properties of carbon‐nanofiber‐filled polytetrafluoroethylene composites

The effects of various filler concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 wt %) on the tribological and mechanical properties of carbon‐nanofiber (CNF)‐filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites were studied. Moreover, the influence of various loads (50, 100, 150, and 200 N) and sliding velocities (0.692 and 1.39 m/s) on the friction and wear behaviors of the PTFE composites was investigated. The results showed that the friction coefficients of the PTFE composites decreased initially up to a 0.5 wt % filler concentration and then increased, whereas the antiwear properties of the PTFE composites increased by 1–2 orders of magnitude in comparison with those of pure PTFE. The composite with a 2 wt % filler concentration had the best antiwear properties under all friction conditions. The friction coefficients of the CNF/PTFE composites decreased with increases in the load and sliding velocity, whereas the wear volume loss of the PTFE composites increased. At the same time, the results also indicated that the mechanical properties of the PTFE composites increased first up to a 1 wt % filler concentration and then decreased as the filler concentration was increased above 1 wt %. In comparison with pure PTFE, the impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation to break of the PTFE composites increased by 40, 20, and 70%, respectively, at a 1 wt % filler concentration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2430–2437, 2007     

Preparation and properties of UV‐curable fluorinated polyurethane acrylates

A series of UV‐curable polyurethane acrylates (PUA0, FPUA3, FPUA6, FPUA 9 FPUA12, FPUA15, where the numbers indicate the wt % of perfluoroalkyl acrylate), were prepared from a reactive oligomer [4,4 ?‐dicyclohexymethanediisocyanate(H12MDI)/ poly(tetramethylene glycol)(PTMG)/2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA): 2/1/2 molar ratio, prepolymer:40 wt %] and diluents [methyl methacrylate (MMA, 20 wt %)/ isobornyl acrylate (IBOA, 40–25 wt %)/heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate (PFA, 0–15 wt), total diluents: 60 wt %]. This study examined the effect of PFA/IBOA weight ratio on the properties of the UV‐curable polyurethane acrylates for antifouling coating materials. The as‐prepared UV‐curable coating material containing a 15 wt % PFA content in diluents (MMA/IBOA/PFA) form a heterogeneous mixture, indicating that a PFA content of approximately 15 wt % was beyond the limit of the dilution capacity of diluents for the oligomer. In the wavelength range of 400–800 nm, the UV‐cured PUA0 film sample was quite transparent (transmittance%: near 100%). On the other hand, the transmittance% of the FPUA film sample decreased markedly with increasing PFA content. XPS showed that the film‐air surface of the UV‐cured polyurethane acrylate film had a higher fluorine content than the film‐glass dish interface. As the PFA content increased from 0 to 12 wt %, the surface tension of the UV‐cured urethane acrylates decreased from 26.8 to 15.6 mN/m, whereas the water/methylene iodide contact angles of the film–air surface increased from 90.1/63.6° to 120.9/87.1°. These results suggest that the UV‐curable polyurethane acrylates containing a PFA content up to 12 wt % have strong potential as fouling‐release coating materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40603.     

Effect of the synthesis route on the structure and properties of polyurethane/nitrokonjac glucomannan semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks

With a synthesis route differing from previous methods, novel semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs), coded UNK‐II, were synthesized by the initial mixing of nitrokonjac glucomannan (NKGM) with castor oil in butanone and the subsequent addition of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to begin the polymerization reaction in the presence of 1,4‐butanediol (BD) as a chain extender at 60°C. The results from dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and ultraviolet spectroscopy indicated that a certain degree of microphase separation occurred between soft and hard segments of polyurethane (PU) in the UNK‐II sheets. The α‐transition temperature, glass‐transition temperature, heating capacity, and tensile strength increased with an increase in the NKGM content, and this suggested an interaction between PU and NKGM in the UNK‐II sheets. In a previous method, semi‐IPN materials (PUNK) were synthesized by the polymerization reaction between castor oil and TDI, and then this PU prepolymer was mixed with NKGM and cured in the presence of BD as a chain extender. The PUNK sheets had relatively good miscibility and mechanical properties. However, for UNK‐II sheets prepared by the method reported in this work, NKGM mainly played a role in reinforcement. When the NKGM content was less than 10%, the UNK‐II sheets exhibited good miscibility, tensile strength (26–28 MPa), and breaking elongation (130–140%), similar to those of PUNK materials. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1948–1954, 2003     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of organoclay‐modified polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating polymer network nanocomposites

organoclay‐modified polyurethane/epoxy interpenetrating network nanocomposites (oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites) were prepared by adding organophilic montmorillonite (oMMT) to interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polyurethane and epoxy resin (PU/EP) which had been prepared by a sequential polymerization technique. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the interpenetrating process of PU and EP improved the exfoliation and dispersion degree of oMMT. The effects of the NCO/OH ratio (isocyanate index), the weight ratio of PU/EP and oMMT content on the phase structure and the mechanical properties of the oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites were studied by tensile testing and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Water absorption tests showed that the PU/EP interpenetrating networks and oMMT had synergistic effects on improvement in the water resistance of the oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that PU was compatible with EP and that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the oM‐PU/EP nanocomposites increased with the oMMT content up to 3 wt%, and then decreased with further increasing oMMT content. The thermal stability of these nanocomposites with various oMMT contents was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the mechanism of thermal stability improvement was discussed according to the experimental results. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and characterization of aqueous polyurethane dispersions with well‐defined soft segments

Novel aqueous polyurethane (PU) hybrid dispersions were successfully prepared with 5–15 mol % functionalized hexamethylene diisocynate trimer modified by N‐(n‐butyl)‐3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and dihydroxylpropyl‐terminated siloxane oligomers (TS). The results of the differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction tests show that the degree of segment order was reduced by the introduction of TS. The hybrid polymer films with TS introduced into the PU backbone displayed excellent water and xylene resistance. Atomic force microscopy showed that the films had a smooth surface. It was noticeable that the tensile strength (σ_b) and Young's modulus of the films increased simultaneously when TS was incorporated into PU; σ_b of the PU15 film with 15 mol % TS was much higher than that of the neat PU0 film, and the breaking elongation of the film with 10 mol % TS was clearly higher than that of the other films. The results indicate that an appropriate content of TS significantly improved the properties of the aqueous PU hybrids. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Surface properties of polyurethane powder lacquers modified with polysiloxane‐methacrylic core‐shell nanoparticles

Non‐ and core‐shell nanoparticles‐containing polyurethane‐based powder coating systems, crosslinked with allophanate bonds containing polyisocyanates were examined. The surface structure of the powder coatings were investigated with a confocal microscopy and polarized optical microscopy (POM) using reflected light. The three‐dimensional surface topography and the values of surface roughness were determined. The surface structure was correlated with the chemical structure of the coatings and macroscopic surface behavior: surface free energy and gloss. These experimental results led to a better understanding of the development of surface topography and morphology and provide valuable information for the development of new polyurethane powder coating systems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Degradation of polyurethane coating materials from liquefied wheat straw for controlled release fertilizers

Polyurethane (PU) was synthesized by liquefied wheat straw and isocyanates for controlled release fertilizers (CRFs). CRFs coated by PU were buried in soil for 12 months. The degradation degree and mechanism of PU coating materials were observed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy (FTIR). Significant microscopic morphology of PU exhibited many small chips or stereovision holes caused by biodegradation or hydrolytic degradation due to the presence of natural polymer wheat straw. AFM results depicted the plane and height topography changes of PU before and after 12 months burial time, showing the swelling morphology of buried PU. TGA and FTIR results confirmed the disintegration of PU polymer due to the presence of isocyanates monomers in the PU12. XPS revealed an accumulation of biofilm on the surface of buried PU, providing the evidence of biodegradation mechanism. Pot experiment indicated the resin residual coating has a positive effect on soil quality. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44021.     

Effects of vacuum ultraviolet on the structure and optical properties of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) films

The effects of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) at wavelengths of 5–200 nm on the microscopic structure and optical properties of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films were investigated. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that the C_1s spectra changed from a single peak at 292.8 eV to multiplex peaks with binding energies of 284.6, 286.6, 288.6, 290.5, and 293.0 eV after VUV irradiation at 680 esh. With an increasing irradiation dose, the C_1s peaks at 290.5 and 293.0 eV disappeared. After the PTFE film specimens irradiated at 1600 esh were sputtered with argon ions for 3 min, the C_1s peaks at 290.5 and 293.0 eV appeared again, and the height of the peaks at 286.6 and 288.6 eV increased. The content of fluorine decreased after VUV irradiation. The content of fluorine in the film surface layer decreased significantly with the increase in the VUV intensity, but it did not change with the irradiation dose. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis results indicated that some conjugated bonds, such as ? FC?CF? , were formed during VUV irradiation, but no CH absorption bands were observed in the FTIR spectra; this indicated that the increase in the height of the C_1s peak at 284.6 eV arose mainly from the carbon–carbon bonds, that is, from carbonification. The spectral transmittance of the PTFE film decreased gradually with an increasing VUV irradiation dose, and at a given dose, the lower the intensity was of the VUV irradiation, the greater the change was in the spectral transmittance. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 115–121, 2003     

Oil‐absorbent polyurethane sponge coated with KH‐570‐modified graphene

Polyurethane (PU) sponge has become a preferred oil adsorbent in recent oil‐spill accidents. To make the sponge superhydrophobic and superoleophilic, this study used graphene (GN), which was modified with γ‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (KH‐570), to coat the PU sponge (called the KH–GN sponge). This study showed the best loading capacity (11.96%) of the KH‐570‐modified GN on the sponge. The contact angles of the KH–GN PU sponge were 161° for water and 0° for soybean, diesel, and pumping oil. It had good selectivity for oil over water, and the KH–GN sponge achieved adsorption equilibrium within a few seconds. The absorption capability of the KH–GN sponge was up to 39 times greater. Additionally, the KH–GN PU sponge could be reused for oil–water separation for more than 120 cycles without losing its superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. Therefore, the sponge prepared in this study could be a desirable material for the cleanup of oil spills. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41821.     

Halogen‐free flame‐retardant rigid polyurethane foams: Effect of alumina trihydrate and triphenylphosphate on the properties of polyurethane foams

Rigid polyurethane foam (PUF) filled with mixture of alumina trihydrate (ATH) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) as fire retardant additive was prepared with water as a blowing agent. In this study, the ATH content was varied from 10 to 100 parts per hundred polyol by weight (php), and TPP was used at a higher loading of ATH (75 and 100 php) in a ratio of 1 : 5 to enhance the processing during PUF preparation. The effects of ATH on properties such as density, compressive strength, morphological, thermal conductivity, thermal stability, flame‐retardant (FR) behavior, and smoke characteristics were studied. The density and compressive strength of the ATH‐filled PUF decreased initially and then increased with further increase in ATH content. There was no significant change in the thermal stability with increasing ATH loading. We determined the FR properties of these foam samples by measuring the limiting oxygen index (LOI), smoke density, rate of burning, and char yield. The addition of ATH with TPP to PUF significantly decreased the flame‐spread rate and increased LOI. The addition of TPP resulted in easy processing and also improved FR characteristics of the foam. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Bamboo tar‐based polyurethane wood coatings

Bamboo tar is a natural resource of aromatic polyol obtained from a residue of by setting or distilling crude bamboo vinegar. In this study, the two‐packed polyurethane (PU) coatings were prepared by blending bamboo tar and castor oil varying with different weight ratios and polymeric toluene diisocyanate (PTDI) was used as a hardener at the NCO/OH molar ratio of 1.0. Six kinds of PU coatings were formulated and the viscosity, pot‐life, drying time, mechanical properties (hardness, tensile strength, impact resistance, adhesion, and abrasion resistance), gel content, durability, lightfastness, FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were characterized. The results indicated that the bamboo tar containing PU film appearance is semitransparent yellow‐brown color and the wood texture could be kept after finishing. All PU films possessed excellent adhesion as well as durability. The increase in bamboo tar content led to shorten drying time of coatings and to increase in hardness, tensile strength, lightfastness, and thermal stability of films. From these results and due to a light smell flavor, it is suggested that the bamboo tar‐based PU coatings is suitable to be used as an exterior wood coatings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Preparation and properties of UV‐curable fluorinated polyurethane acrylates containing crosslinkable vinyl methacrylate for antifouling coatings

To obtain highly effective antifouling coatings, a series of UV‐curable polyurethane acrylates containing diluents [heptadecafluorodecyl methacrylate (PFA, 6 wt %)/isobornyl acrylate (IBOA, 34 wt %)/methyl methacrylate (MMA, 20‐5 wt %)/vinyl methacrylate (VMA, 0–15 wt %)] were prepared. This study examined the effect of bulky MMA (20‐5 wt %)/crosslinkable VMA (0–15 wt %) weight ratio on the properties of the UV‐curable polyurethane acrylates. The fluorine concentration in UV‐cured film surface increased with increasing VMA content up to 9 wt % and then decreased. The T_gα, transparency, elasticity, and mechanical properties of the UV‐cured film samples increased with increasing VMA content. The water/methylene iodide contact angles and surface tension of samples increased from 107/79 to 121/91° and decreased from 17.8 to 12.7 mN/m with increasing VMA content up to 9 wt % and then decreased/increased, respectively. From these results, it was found that the optimum VMA content was 9 wt % to obtain a high‐performance antifouling coating. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42168.     

Effect of oleic acid content and chemical crosslinking on the properties of palm oil‐based polyurethane coatings

Polyurethanes (PU) were prepared by reacting palm oil‐based polyols and aromatic diisocyanate (toluene 2, 4 diisocyanates). The content of oleic acid was varied in the polyester polyols and the hydroxyl value was fixed to be 140 mg KOH g^?1. The NCO/OH ratios were varied to 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6. Crosslinking density of the PU was measured by swelling in toluene at room temperature. It was found that the crosslinking increased with decreasing oleic acid content and increasing NCO/OH ratio. The samples were assessed by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric, and short‐term creep measurements. The highest rupture strength of the PU films was 36 MPa and thermostability improved as the oleic acid content and the NCO/OH ratios were increased in the sample. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Adhesion properties of phosphate‐ and siloxane‐containing polyurethane dispersions to steel: An analysis of the metal–coating interface

Polyurethane dispersions containing phosphate and siloxane groups in the main chain were investigated as possible self‐assembling metal coatings. Improved adhesion of the polymer to the metal was observed because of the formation of an insoluble metal phosphate layer at the metal–coating interface. The neutralizing amine of the dispersions affected the formation of this metal phosphate, and the metal phosphate formation was dependent on the curing temperature and boiling point of the amine used for neutralization. A crosscut comparative study of adhesion proved that the phosphate‐containing coatings had better adhesion because of the formation of ionic bonds at the metal–coating interface. A solid‐state adhesion prediction method based on thermodynamic considerations was used. The results of the solid‐state adhesion method correlated well with that obtained from the crosscut adhesion test method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 900–907, 2003     

Aircraft‐coating weathering studies by analytical methods

We predicted the life of an aircraft coating through the characterization of slightly weathered samples. To accomplish this, we completed accelerated weathering of a flat aircraft coating in a xenon‐arc weather‐o‐meter for 0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 h. Equatorial mount with mirrors for acceleration with aqua (EMMAQUA) exposures equivalent to 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 months were also completed in this work. To determine coating‐film degradation, we used electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, also known as XPS, and L*a*b* color measurement. Nonlinear regression estimations were performed on selected measurements from the test data. Two models were used. The first was the Weibull‐type model. The second was a Gauss‐type model that had also been used in previous work on decay processes. The second model generally provided a better fit as determined by asymptotic R² statistics. Secondary‐ion mass spectroscopy data did not produce data consistent with decay functions. The models better described the data from color change measurements and XPS. Fourier transform infrared data fit the models but not as well as XPS and color measurement. Furthermore, data from EMMAQUA exposures fit better than data from the xenon‐arc weather‐o‐meter. In the model development work, we used single points for both measurement and exposure. The models can be refined with a high degree of predictive precision if replicates of 10 measurements and replicates of 5 exposures are performed; we plan to report these findings in the future. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 294–313, 2002     

Graft polymerization of methacrylic acid onto polytetrafluoroethylene initiated by alkyllithium/electron‐donating solvents

Graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) onto polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), initiated by the mixed solution of alkyllithium/hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) at low temperature, was studied. Using electron spin resonance (ESR), nuclear magnetic resonance, X‐ray photoelectron and vibrational (infrared) spectroscopies, the chemical structure of the grafted poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) onto the PTFE (PTFE‐g‐PMAA) was investigated. The grafted PMAA was found to be located deeper than 2.5 nm from the surface of the PTFE. The molecular motion of the PTFE‐g‐PMAA was also studied by means of the temperature‐dependent ESR spectra of the spin‐labeled PTFE‐g‐PMAA. The results suggested that the molecular motion of the grafted PMAA chain was mainly controlled by that of the principal PTFE chain, and the evaluated activation energy was lower for the grafted PMAA chain (e.g., 6.5 kJ/mol at temperature range below 295 K) than that for the PMAA homopolymer (13.2 kJ/mol). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 923–931, 2004     

Thermal properties of polytetrafluoroethylene/Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 polymer/ceramic composites

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with Sr₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ ceramic were prepared by a powder processing technique. The structures and microstructures of the composites were investigated by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the ceramic filler had no effect on the melting point of the PTFE. The effect of the Sr₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ ceramic content [0–0.6 volume fraction (vf)] on the thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), specific heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity were investigated. As the vf of the Sr₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ ceramic increased, the thermal conductivity of the specimen increased, and the CTE decreased. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of the PTFE/Sr₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ composites were improved to 1.7 W m^?1 °C^?1 and 34 ppm/°C, respectively for 0.6 vf of the ceramics. The experimental thermal conductivity and CTE were compared with different theoretical models. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Superhydrophobic polyurethane and silica nanoparticles coating with high transparency and fluorescence

A superhydrophobic surface was prepared by spin‐coating trimethylsiloxane functionalized SiO₂ (TMS‐SiO₂) solutions onto a precoated polyurethane (PU) layer. The superhydrophobic coatings showed high stability with time, and the prepared coatings remained superhydrophobicity even after 6 months. Furthermore, the as‐prepared surface showed high transparency with a transmittance above 70% in visible light region (400–800 nm). The transition of the composite surface from superhydrophobicity to hydrophilicity can be achieved by increasing the drying temperature. More interestingly, the surface showed excellent fluorescent property by the incorporation of fluorescent Europium (Eu) complex into the surface and without deteriorating the superhydrophobic and transparent properties. It was believed that the superhydrophobic surface with multifunction would broaden the applications of superhydrophobic materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effect of difunctional acids on the physicochemical,thermal, and mechanical properties of polyester polyol‐based polyurethane coatings

Polyester polyol (PP)‐based polyurethanes (PUs) consisting of two difunctional acids [1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (CHDA) and 1,6‐adipic acid (AA)] and also two diols [1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and 1,6‐hexanediol (HDO)] were synthesized by a two‐step procedure with a variable feed ratio of CHDA to AA but fixed ratio of CHDM and HDO. The prepared PPs and/or PUs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The effects of difunctional acids on the thermal, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of PPs or PU films were investigated by thermogravimetry analysis, differential thermogravimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The results show that PP exhibits a lowest viscosity with the mole fraction of CHDA and AA at 3 : 7 whereas it delivers a lowest melting point with the mole fraction at 9 : 1. After PPs being cross‐linked by isocyanate trimers, the impact resistance, shear strength and glass transition temperature increase the mixed‐acid formulations with increasing the content of CHDA. In detail, the resultant PU almost simultaneously exhibits the best mechanical and thermal properties when the mole fraction of CHDA and AA is kept constant at 9 : 1, thus giving rise to a high glass transition temperature of 56.4°C and a onset decomposition temperature of 350°C, and also delivering a balanced toughness and hardness with an impact resistance of 100 J/g and storage modulus as high as 10⁹ Pa. This path for synthesis of PP‐based PU provides a design tool for high performance polymer coatings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41246.