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Segmental evolution of ultraviolet weathered polyurea

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Abstract

Polyurea has been integrated in various applications ranging from moisture and chemical resistant coatings to improving the impact mitigation of structures. These applications imply that extended exposure to the sun is imminent. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation with energies higher than the activation energy of polyurea can be detrimental to the mechanical and physical properties based on changes in its segmental microstructure. In this paper, the evolution of the phase-segregated microstructure of polyurea was evaluated as a function of extended ultraviolet exposure at an accelerated factor of 4.28 of artificial weathering, where one year of natural weathering was accomplished in less than 15 weeks. Several sets of exposed samples were removed from the exposure environment at various times within 15 weeks and were characterized using atomic force microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. First, analysis of the phase morphology using the atomic force microscope demonstrated the segmental evolution of the polyurea surface, where the hard segments had agglomerated, and the soft segments appeared to etch away as ultraviolet radiation increased. The concentration of the hard segments increased from 12% within 3 weeks of exposure to 23% at the 15th week of exposure. Second, gravimetric analysis of the pyrolysis of polyurea samples related the exposure duration and penetration depth of the degraded layer. The thermogravimetric results showed a reduction in the weight percent of the soft segment, i.e., the degradation of the soft segment occurring at ~300°C, with increasing UV exposure duration. At 15 weeks, the weight loss at ~300°C was 22% compared to the ~80% of pyrolyzed virgin polyurea. The gravimetric reporting of the hard segments was in good agreement with phase data from the atomic force micrographs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Mechanics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA

    Aryan Blourchian, Atif Mohammed Shaik, Nha Uyen Huynh & George Youssef

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  1. Aryan Blourchian
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  2. Atif Mohammed Shaik
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  4. George Youssef
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Correspondence to George Youssef.

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Blourchian, A., Shaik, A.M., Huynh, N.U. et al. Segmental evolution of ultraviolet weathered polyurea. J Polym Res 28, 117 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-021-02483-4

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