It is usually found that flexibility is the property majorly influenced by binder. However, in my case I found that, the batch which had lower binder content was found to have higher flexibility than the one which had higher binder content which differed by 20%. Also amount of polyetheramine used in batch with lower binder content was 20% more than other. So is it because that polyetheramine is long aliphatic chain and hence it increases the gap between chains thereby increasing the flexibility. It is almost like it shows plasticizing effect.
You simply changed the stoichiometry of the reaction and produced low crosslink density which leads to flexibility but otherwise to poor properties.
It is the molecular structure that should mostly determine the final property of your coating. Naturally flexible polymer will provide higher flexibility compared to rigid polymers. The properties you desire has to be also optimized by proper choice of flexible/rigid (stoichiometry as mentioned above) monomers, or proper binder - cross linking agent ratio. Tg and XRD can give you an idea about flexibility, but then again the molecular structure will determine Tg and XRD.
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