Stiff Self-Healing Coating Based on UV-Curable Polyurethane with a “Hard Core, Flexible Arm” Structure

[Image: see text] Two series of ultraviolet (UV)-cured self-healing polyurethane (PU) oligomers were synthesized through a prepolymer process from isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) or 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), polycarbonate diol (PCDL) of varying molecular weight (500, 1000, and 2000 Da), and chemically modified cyclotriphosphazene as hard cores were introduced. The synthesized oligomers contained rigid aromatic rings as “hard cores” and long fatty chains as “flexible arms”. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the structures of the oligomers. In addition, the UV-cured self-healing PU coatings were prepared by designing some coating formulations with the PU oligomers. The self-healing properties and mechanical properties of the UV-cured coatings were investigated. The results revealed that the coatings had self-healing properties based on hydrogen bonds. As the molecular weight of PCDL decreased, the coatings exhibited increased hardness, tensile strength, and glass transition temperature. Furthermore, the coatings exhibited excellent thermostability. The results proved the application prospects of the self-healing coatings with high repair efficiency and excellent mechanical properties.