This work focused on the production of aqueous dispersions of polyurethane using the emulsification method by phase inversion. For the synthesis two polyols were employed, viz. a commercial polyester and Maleinizated Castor Oil (MACO), with two diisocyanates: one aromatic, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and another aliphatic, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), which are not common for this application. Citric acid was used as internal emulsifier which is inexpensive and readily available. The parameters were the amount of citric acid and the mole ratio of isocyanate groups to hydroxyl (NCO/OH), generating a 3² factorial design, with minimization of the sedimented solids. The surface methodology was used to obtain a quadratic polynomial equation by multiple regression analysis. Polyurethanes synthesized were evaluated for their mechanical and adhesive properties (tack, loop tack, hold, peel). These measurements allowed classifying the polyurethanes synthesized as repositionable adhesives, for use in labels.
Repositionable adhesives; polyurethane; dispersions; castor oil
