Properties of the modified cellulosic fabrics using polyurethane acrylate copolymers

Polyurethane acrylate copolymers (PAC) were synthesized via emulsion polymerization following three step synthesis process using toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, hydroxy terminated poly(caprolactone) diol, 2-hydroxyethylacrylate (HEA) and butyl acrylate (BuA). Structural characteristics of the synthesized polyurethane acrylate copolymer (PAC) were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer and are with accordance with the proposed PAC structure. The physicochemical properties such as solid contents (%), tackiness, film appearance and emulsion stability were studied, discussed and co-related with other findings. The plain weave poly-cotton printed fabrics after application of PAC was evaluated applying colorfastness standard test method. The results revealed that emulsion stability is the main controlling factor of the synthesized material in order to get better applications and properties. The emulsion stability of the synthesized material increased with increase in molecular weight of the polycaprolactone diol.