Novel Polyurethanes as Antifouling Paint Matrices

The new poly(ester-ether urethane)s (PEEUR) were prepared in two stage synthesis from formerly obtained oligo(alkylene ester-ether)diols (OAEE) and 4,4‘-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). PEEUR samples were subjected to crosslinking with styrene in the presence of radical polymerization initiators: methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) or cobalt 2-ethyl cyclohexanoate (EtHCo). Crosslinked PEEUR were characterized by their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Tensile strength of crosslinked PEEURs was in the range 63-29 MPa, hardness values were from 92 to 97°ShA, and glass transition temperature was in the range 59-74°C. For PEEURs filled with biocides tensile strength was in the range 6,8-8,5MPa, hardness values were from 82 to 92°ShA, and glass transition temperature was in the range 57-72°C. Optical microscopic observations showed that the materials obtained were homogeneous in micrometric scale.