What is the role of styrene in unsaturated polyester resins?

What is the role of styrene in unsaturated polyester resins?

Styrene is used (as a reactive diluent) in production of unsaturated polyester resins for coatings and composites, to achieve final product properties such as the right viscosity, water resistance-if applicable, cost, etc. Styrene is an excellent diluent to achieve proper processing viscosity for polyester resins.

How do you make unsaturated polyester resin?

General purpose unsaturated polyester resins were prepared by using maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride and propylene glycol with the molar ratio of phthalic anhydride : maleic anhydride ranging from 1:2 to 2:1[32-33].

What catalyst is usually used for vinylester and polyester resins?

The hardener/catalyst for vinyl ester resin and polyester resins is MEKP. Epoxy resin is an ideal resin for high performance and light weight parts. It is water resistant. It can be used with carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass cloth.

What is difference between saturated and unsaturated polyester resin?

The key difference between saturated and unsaturated polyester resin is that the saturated polyester resins have no double bonds in their main chain whereas the unsaturated polyester resins have double bonds in their main chain.

What is unsaturated polyester resin?

Specifically, the unsaturated polyester resin, also known by the English acronym UPR, is an easily printable liquid polymer which, once cured (cross-linked with styrene, by the use of particular substances, organic peroxides, named hardeners), keeps the solid shape taken in the mold. …

What is unsaturated polyester used for?

Unsaturated polyester resins are mainly used in the production of fiber reinforced plastics and filled plastic products, including sanitary-ware, tanks, pipes, gratings, and high performance components for the marine and transportation industry such as closure and body panels, fenders, boat hulls/ decks and other large …

What is the catalyst for polyester resin?

Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide
MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) is the catalyst added to polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. As the catalyst mixes with the resin, a chemical reaction occurs, creating heat which cures (hardens) the resin. Use approximately 1/2 oz per quart of resin.

What is polyester resin properties?

Polyester resins are transparent, high-density polymers with excellent strength and water resistance with high usage in textiles (where it is known under the tradename “Polyester”) and packaging (where it generally referred to as “PET”).

What is an unsaturated polyester resin?

What is the catalyst for fiberglass resin?

MEKP

Can a vinyl ester be prepared from unsaturated polyester?

A conventional vinyl ester resin can be prepared by end capping various epoxy resins with unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid [20- 22]. They combine the excellent mechanical, chemical and solvent resistance properties of epoxy resins with the properties found in the unsaturated polyester resins.

What kind of additive is used in unsaturated polyester?

Low-profile additives (LPAs) are used in unsaturated polyester/styrene (UPE/styrene) resin formulations to improve the surface of molding compounds, compensating for resin shrinkage. Poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc) is widely used as an LPA, particularly in sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound (BMC) formulations.

When does phase separation occur in vinyl acetate LPA?

Poly (vinyl acetate) (PVAc) is widely used as an LPA, particularly in sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound (BMC) formulations. Phase separation occurs in the early stages of curing reactions (1-3).

How is unsaturated polyester resin for specialty applications?

The resins were prepared by reacting glycidyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate with bisphenol-A. These resins are very reactive and Unsaturated Polyester Resin for Specialty Applications 169