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Synthesis, characterization and glass reinforced composites of low styrene emission unsaturated polyester resin having improved fire resistance and mechanical properties

Bharat Z.Dholakiya, Kanuprasad D.Patel

This work deals with synthetic modifications of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) in order to achieve better fire resistance andmechanical properties, lower styrene emission, better styrene solubility and lower processing viscosity. These new ecological unsaturated polyester resins will be used formarine, automotive, electric and electronic, building construction, sport and leisure, domestic and sanitary appliances, furniture as well asmilitary applications. Two concepts were used for development of these newecological unsaturated polyester resins; Introduction of acrylicmonomers viz; Methyl methacrylate (MMA), Butyl methacrylate (BMA) and Acrylonitrile (AN) into the unsaturated polyester resins to reduce styrene emission and use of halogen free fire resistance fillers (Zinc borate and antimony trioxide) in place of halogenated fillers. The main disadvantage of halogenated fillers is that a fire could create toxic and possibly corrosive smoke. Liquid crystalline unsaturated polyester resins were possible to synthesize and it was also possible to prepare solutions of unsaturated polyesters in styrene. Bymodification with acrylic monomers it is possible to prepare resinswith a styrene content as lowas 20 wt%. Themechanical and fire resistance properties of the cured samples depending on the type of acrylicmonomer and amount and type of filler.Modification of unsaturated polyesters in this way is a possibility to get unsaturated polyester resins with low styrene emission, better fire resistance and mechanical properties, lower shrinkage, reduced brittleness and increased flexibility.