Modification of Unsaturated Polyester Resin by Methyl-α-Eleostearate-Maleic Anhydride Adduct

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) is one of the film-forming resins commonly used for preparation of coatings. However, the general type UPR has some disadvantages which limit its application such as poor water resistance, solvent resistance, heat resistance and mechanical properties. To improve common UPR’s comprehensive performance, methyl-α-eleostearate-maleic anhydride adduct (MEMAA), a derivative from Tung oil, was prepared and introduced into UPR system to form MEMAA modified UPR (M-UPR). Influences of MEMAA’s dosage in M-UPR on water and toluene absorption and tensile strength of M-UPR were investigated. The thermal property and morphology of M-UPR were also studied by TGA and SEM, respectively. Experimental results show that the water resistance, solvent resistance and tensile strength of UPR have been improved a lot and the heat resistance of UPR also has a certain degree of improvement after UPR’ being modified by MEMAA. Compared with the common UPR film, when the dosage of MEMAA is 9% of UPR’s mass, the water absorption, toluene absorption of M-UPR film are decreased by 21.0% and 18.6%, respectively, and whereas, the tensile strength and thermal decomposition temperature of UPR film are increases by 14% and 20 oC.