Synthesis of Unsaturated Polyester Resin—Effect of Sequence of Addition of Reactants

Abstract

Unsaturated polyesters were synthesized in the laboratory by the condensation of maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride with propylene glycol. The condensate obtained was mixed with styrene monomer to get an unsaturated polyester resin formulation. The properties of the polyester resin synthesized were found to be affected by the synthesis parameters. In this study, the effect of sequence of addition of reactants on the properties of resin was investigated. Properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, toughness, impact strength, surface hardness, abrasion resistance, and water absorption were evaluated after curing the resin. Propylene glycol necessary for esterification of both the anhydride fractions was initially reacted with phthalic anhydride. Later, the esterification was completed by reaction with maleic anhydride. This sequence of addition of reactants was found to give the best mechanical properties among all possible methods of reactant addition. Moreover, it was found that this sequence of addition of reactants gives the shortest reaction time.