Abstract:A series of waterborne polyurethanes (WPU) were synthesized using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), poly-ε-caprolactone diol (PCL) and different post chain extenders. Waterborne polyurethane/microcapsule thermochromic coatings (WPUT) were prepared by mixing thermochromic microcapsules (TCM) with waterborne polyurethane. The structure and morphology of WPU and WPUT were characterized using FTIR and SEM, and their properties were investigated through TGA, DSC, and water absorption tests. The results showed that the WPU prepared with isophorone diamine (IPDA) as the post chain extender had the best comprehensive performance, the particle size of emulsion was 40.47 nm and the adhesive film had excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. The polyester fabric coated with WPUT prepared by mixing WPU-IPDA and TCM has excellent water resistance, with no coating peeling observed after being immersed in water for 24 h. The WPUT-16 prepared with a TCM content of 16% has the best comprehensive performance. The DSC test showed that its color change temperature was around 57 ℃. When the temperature increased from 25 ℃ to 62 ℃, the fabric changed from yellow to colorless and returned to yellow when the temperature decreased, demonstrating excellent reversible color change performance.