Pure Unsaturated Polyester Resin Research Articles

Nano-SiO2/polyurethane modified unsaturated polyester resin mortar for thin layer repairing on airport pavement

This paper introduces a novel toughened polymer mortar designed for runway repair, featuring outstanding impact resistance, high strength, and cost-effectiveness. To augment the toughness of unsaturated polyester (UP) polymer mortar, nano-SiO2 and polyurethane (PU) were incorporated. Firstly, the optimal dosages of nano-SiO2 and PU were determined through tensile test and impact test. Then, the modification mechanism of nano-SiO2/PU on UP resin was explored by microscopic image technology. In addition, the compression, flexural, fluidity, flexural bond strength and construction time tests were carried out to determine the optimal formula of nano-SiO2/PU modified UP resin mortar. Finally, the durability, impact resistance, impermeability resistance, skid resistance, and interlayer bond strength of modified UP resin mortar were studied and compared with those of pure UP resin mortar and epoxy (EP) resin mortar. Results show that the optimum proportion by mass for nano-SiO2/polyurethane modified UP resin is, UP resin: PU: dibutyltin dilaurate: nano-SiO2: initiator: accelerator: diluent: plasticizer = 1: 0.1: 0.002: 0.01: 0.01: 0.01:0.15:0.01. Furthermore, the mass proportion of modified UP resin to aggregate is 1: 1.2. In nano-SiO2/PU modification of UP resin, the -NCO groups of PU have been involved in chemical interaction with the -OH group of UP, while nano-SiO2 and UP resin are blended physically only. Compared with pure UP resin mortar, the nano-SiO2/PU modified UP resin mortar exhibited a 44% reduction in shrinkage rate, approximately 20% less corrosion loss, a 32% decrease in freeze-thaw loss, a 37% improvement in impact resistance, and increased shear bonding strength, flexural bonding strength, and tensile bonding strength by 44%, 33%, and 47%, respectively. Although the modified UP resin mortar demonstrated slightly lower performance in terms of dry shrinkage, corrosion resistance, skid resistance, and tensile bond strength compared to EP resin mortar, its freeze-thaw durability, impact resistance, flexural bond strength, and shear bond strength surpassed those of EP resin mortar. All three materials exhibited excellent impermeability. Leveraging the advantages of PU and nano-SiO2, the modified UP resin presents a promising repair material for airport pavement with enhanced toughness, high stability, and reduced cost.

Heat transfer prediction during curing of thick part of unsaturated polyester resin containing nanoparticles of graphene oxide and modified graphene oxide

AbstractIn this study, the challenges of using nanoparticles such as graphene oxide (GO) and modified graphene oxide (MGO) in the production of thick parts were investigated. In addition, using various kinetic models, the trend of temperature increases in pure unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), and UPR containing GO and MGO were investigated. The heat transfer equations were solved using programming code in MATLAB software. In the following, the role of the variation in density, convection heat transfer coefficient, and thermal conductivity coefficient on the prediction of temperature at different points of the parts is evaluated. The findings indicated that the choice of the kinetic model can play an effective role in predicting the temperature in the parts. An increased temperature causes a decrease in the structural regularity of the resin network and intensifies phonon scattering to decrease, and will eventually cause a decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient.Highlights The mathematical modeling was developed on the curing of unsaturated polyester nanocomposite. The cure kinetic models and thermal properties had important roles in the model accuracy. The best prediction of temperature changes was provided by Vyazovkin's model. The results of developed model satisfactorily matched the experimental data.

Construction of surface-functionalized hexagonal boron nitride flakes for unsaturated polyesters resin composites with improved tribological properties under seawater condition

To improve the dispersion and interfacial interaction, surface-functionalized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) was prepared by grafting sucrose and hyperbranched polysiloxane (HBPSi) with terminal amino groups. The morphology observation revealed that the surface functionalization improved the interfacial interaction and precluded the h-BN stacking, resulting in the uniform dispersion of sucrose and HBPSi modified boron nitride (HBPSi-BN) in the unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). The UPR/HBPSi-BN composite exhibited the lowest coefficient of friction (0.14) and volume wear rate (2.4 × 10−5 mm3/N·m), which were reduced by 65.1% and 82.6%, respectively, as compared with those of pure UPR. The presence of HBPSi helped to the formation of the compact continuous debris-forming films on the wear surface, reducing the direct contact between friction pairs. The large amount of terminal amino groups from HBPSi could improve the interfacial interaction between fillers and polymer matrix, contributing to the load transform during the sliding friction process. In addition, the high conductivity of HBPSi-BN could also alleviate abrasive wear due to it helped the dissipation of the friction heat at the counterface to reduce plastic deformation, resulting in enhanced tribological properties. This work provides a feasible way for the practical application of commercial h-BN as a low-friction lubricant for polymer composites.

STUDYING SOME OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FOR POLYMER REINFORCED WITH CHOPPED CARBON FIBERS (CCF) COMPOSITES

The research includes the study of some physical. Properties (thermal conductive and dielectric strength) for two types of polymer composites; epoxy resin (EP) reinforced by chopped carbon fibers (CCF) and unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) reinforced by chopped carbon fibers at different weight percentage (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%). Hand –lay up. Method was used to prepare sheets of composites (EP, UPE, EP/CCF, and UPE/CCF) on. glass mold which were cut according to the standard dimensions of the thermal conductive and dielectric strength tests specimens. The results showed that the. Sample of UPE/CCF have highest values of thermal conductive at weight. percentage (7%) compared with prepared samples at other weight percentage. Also the results showed that the thermal conductive of. Pure UPE and EP increased with increase in weight percentage of carbon fibers addition. On the other hand, the results showed that the polyester composites have higher values of thermal conductive compared with epoxy composites. Also the results showed that higher value of dielectric strength at weight. Percentage (1%) for both types from prepared composites of carbon fibers.In addition, the results showed that the polyester composites have higher values of dielectric strength compared with epoxy composites.

Synergistic Flame Retardant Effect between Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Imogolite Nanotubes and Ammonium Polyphosphate in Unsaturated Polyester Resin.

Imogolite nanotubes (INTs) were synthesized from tetraethoxysilane, aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, and ammonia solution by the method of Arancibia-Miranda, and their dispersion was modified by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF6) to obtain ionic liquid (IL)-functionalized INTs (INTs-PF6-ILs). Then, the flame retardant INTs-PF6-ILs was complexed with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and applied to unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). The limiting oxygen index value and the UL-94 level of the UPR/APP/INTs-PF6-ILs composites reached 28 and V-0, respectively. The residual carbon of the composites in thermogravimetric analysis increased by 19.47%, compared with that of pure UPR. The cone calorimeter test result showed that the peak of heat release rate and total heat rate values of the UPR/APP/INTs-PF6-ILs composites were lowered by 41 and 34% than those of the pure UPR, respectively. The effect of heat combustion and the maximum mass loss rate of UPR/APP/INTs-PF6-ILs composites were also greatly decreased. There were no holes or folds observed on the surface of the UPR/APP/INTs-PF6-ILs composites' residual carbon in scanning electron microscopy images. The intact residual carbon could have effectively insulated the heat and oxygen to improve the flame retardant performance.

An insight into pyrolysis and flame retardant mechanism of unsaturated polyester resin with different valance states of phosphorus structures

This work analyzes the effect of different valence states in phosphorus structures on thermal stability, pyrolysis kinetics and flame retardancy of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Then, the corresponding mechanisms are systematically analyzed. The poly(ethylene phenylphosphonate) (PBEG) and poly(ethylene phenoxyphosphate) (POEG) were synthesized, and the combustion behaviors of UPR, such as pyrolysis, ignition, heat suppression and charring capacity were studied. The phosphorus structures with +5 valence states in POEG was more conducive to formation of carbon layers than that of +3 valence states in PBEG. The better charring capacity made pyrolysis activation energy (Ek) of UPR/POEG different from UPR/PBEG in F-W-O and DAEM fitting methods. The Ek of UPR/POEG was larger than pure UPR at high mass conversions, but Ek of UPR/PBEG was less than pure UPR during entire pyrolysis process, due to different phosphorus-containing pyrolysis products. For PBEG, more phosphorus-containing species existed in gaseous phase to capture H· radicals; By contrast, POEG left more products in condensed phase, promoting the formation of thermally stable carbon layers. Different phosphorus-containing products also affected flame retardancy of UPR. UPR reached UL-94 V0 with only 15 wt% of PBEG, where peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), fire growth index (FGI) were obviously reduced. However, flame retardant efficiency of POEG were lower than PBEG. This indicates that +3 phosphorus valance of PBEG is more helpful to improve flame retardancy of UPR, and the essential reasons have been systematically analyzed. Meanwhile, the selection of high-efficiency flame retardant systems for UPR materials can be based on gaseous-phase mechanism and supplemented by condensed-phase mechanism.

Synthesis and Characterization Unsaturated Polyester Resin Nanocomposites Reinforced by Fe2O3+ Ni Nanoparticles: Influence on Mechanical and Magnetic Properties

This investigation aims to study the effect of Fe2O3,Ni nanoparticles as a reinforcement materials on the mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester (UPR) as a matrix to produce a nanocomposite material using a casting route. Various examinations and tests were conducted to define the characteristics of the manufactured nanocomposite, such as Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) analysis. The mechanical tests, including tensile, bending and hardness were performed on samples at the room temperature according to ASTM standards, while the magnetic characteristics were defined by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Fe2O3 nanoparticles were incorporation into unsaturated polyester resin by different weight percentages that vary from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% and a constant concentration 3 wt.% of Ni nanoparticles. The images of FESEM and EDS evinced the homogeneity of F2O3, Ni nanoparticles into the pure unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). While, the improvement in Young's modulus, tensile strength, bending strength, and hardness was compared with those for the UPR. The improvement was 10.02% in Young’s modulus, 44.08% in tensile strength, 13.55% in bending strength, and strength in hardness. Also, the magnetic properties, such as reidual magnetization (Mr), saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity force (Hc) enhanced with increasing the concentration of nanoparticles. The preferred percentage to improve the mechanical properties was found at 15 wt.% of Fe2O3 and then decreased above this concentration, whereas the enhancement in hardness was achieved at 20 wt. % of Fe2O3.

Preparation of microencapsulated aluminum hypophosphite and its flame retardancy of the unsaturated polyester resin composites

A novel microencapsulated flame retardant (CP@AHP), aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) as the core material and chlorinated paraffin (CP) as the shell material, was successfully prepared and applied in unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to prepare the UPR composites in this paper. The aim of microencapsulation AHP was to enhance the fire safety of the UPR composites. The structure, morphology and thermal behavior of CP@AHP were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), respectively. The thermal and flame-retardant properties of the UPR composites were evaluated by TG and cone calorimetry test (CCT), respectively. At the same time, the tensile and flexural properties of UPR composites were tested. Compared with pure UPR, the residue at 800 °C of UPR/CP@AHP-1:2 (UPR/CP@AHP with the mass ratio of CP:AHP = 1:2) under nitrogen atmosphere is from 6.9 to 31.6. The CCT results showed that the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release of UPR/CP@AHP-1:2 decreased by 58.4 and 46.1%, respectively, in comparison with pure UPR. The results of TG and CCT indicated that CP@AHP could improve the thermal stability and flame retardancy of the UPR composites. Finally, based on the above results, the flame retardancy mechanism of CP@AHP was proposed.

Hierarchical core–shell TiO2@LDH@Ni(OH)2 architecture with regularly-oriented nanocatalyst shells: Towards improving the mechanical performance, flame retardancy and toxic smoke suppression of unsaturated polyester resin

Due to poor interfacial interaction between titanium dioxide (TiO2) and polymers, the fabrication of high-performance polymer/TiO2 composites is still a big challenge. To improve and fully utilize the catalytic efficiency of TiO2 for flame retardant application, in this work, a hierarchical core–shell TiO2-based architecture was constructed, composed by TiO2 nanospheres (core) and oriented-growth Co-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH)@Ni(OH)2 nano-catalyst (shell). As-fabricated hybrids with a fine frame construction improved the interfacial interaction with unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix, contributed by increased contact area and interpenetration between two phases. Through well-contacted interface, the external force can be transferred smoothly to the rigid filler, and thus improved mechanical performance of UPR/TiO2@LDH@Ni(OH)2 nanocomposites. Theoretically, the well-designed structures and optimization of the chemical composition for transition metal compounds are important to effectively reduce fire hazards of UPR composites. Compared with pure UPR, the heat release, flammable pyrolysis products and toxic smoke emission were clearly reduced during the combustion of UPR/TiO2@LDH@Ni(OH)2, which can be attributed to the adsorption effect of core–shell hybrids and the barrier effect of thermostable char layers. Moreover, the total CO release experienced a maximum 53.33% decrease. Herein, this work expands the thinking of the preparation of multifunctional high-performance composites, and designs a novel hierarchical core–shell architecture with multiple regularly oriented shell layers.

Laboratory investigation on the properties of polyurethane/unsaturated polyester resin modified bituminous mixture

As a thermosetting material, unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) can effectively improve the high-temperature stability of bitumen. However, compared with epoxy modified bitumen, UPR modified bitumen has inferior low-temperature crack resistance. Therefore, this paper used polyurethane (PU) to modify UPR, and determined the best formulation of PU/UPR modified bitumen. The properties of PU/UPR modified bituminous binder were evaluated by viscosity, tensile, DSR and BBR tests. Besides, through a series of laboratory tests, the road performances of PU/UPR modified bituminous mixture were comprehensively studied. The results indicate that the PU/UPR modified bituminous binder has better tensile strength and low-temperature performance compared with the pure UPR modified bituminous binder, but the high-temperature stability was slightly worse. After PU addition, the flexural-tensile strength and fatigue resistance of the bituminous mixture were obviously improved, and the low-temperature performance improved slightly. The water stability and oil corrosion resistance almost remained unchanged, and the high-temperature performance was slightly decreased.

An advance in the use of natural resources: characterisation of the quality of impregnation of bleached alfa pulpboard by unsaturated polyester resin and evaluation of the obtained composite material’s properties

The present work has been conducted in order to investigate the quality of impregnation of unsaturated polyester resin across the bleached alfa pulpboard, and evaluate the potential for the obtained compound to serve a purpose as a useful composite material.The ultra-low-angle Microtomy (ULAM) method was used to study the quality of impregnation of alfa fibres by unsaturated polyester resin. The cross-section through the bleached alfa pulpboard/unsaturated polyester material, which emphasised the impregnation zone, was analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The profiles obtained by the XPS line scan analysis of the tapered surface show a well-defined impregnation region. The depth of this region has been characterised using two chemical constituent peaks, which showed an approximate depth of impregnation of about 20 to 40 μm, on the basis of COH/COC, components which are exactly complementary to the β-shifted carbon signal, employed as an analogue for the unsaturated polyester. A comparative study was also carried out between the mechanical and tribological properties of the composite material and the pure unsaturated polyester resin, in order to complement the results obtained by surface analysis. The comparison shows better stiffness, tensile strength at break and wears resistance in the reinforced unsaturated polyester resin.The results of this research demonstrate a good quality of impregnation of unsaturated polyester resin across the short alfa fibres which present the matrix and reinforcement of the studied composite material.

Influence of glass transition temperature of crosslinked unsaturated polyester resin/styrene formulations on the final conversion after an isothermal curing at 100°C

SMC (sheet molding compound) is a composite based on fibers‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) resin molded usually at 140°C to 170°C under a pressure of 60 to 100 bars. In order to develop new SMC formulations that can be molded at lower temperature (100°C) for economic and environmental reasons, the formulation of the composite had to be completely modified, both to allow a rapid reaction at 100°C, but also to avoid a vitrification phenomenon due to the fact that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMC parts becomes, during the molding process, higher than the mold temperature. In this paper, the relation between the molding temperature, the glass transition temperature, and the final conversion of UP resin/styrene formulations has been underlined. The Tg of the cured resin was decreased by two different ways. The first way involved the reduction of the crosslinking density of the UP resin by using a blend of two resins, a pure maleic and a more flexible one. This blend allows to adjust the Tg over a temperature range from 197°C (Tg of the pure UP resin) to 75°C (Tg of the pure flexible resin). The second way consisted in the addition of butyl methacrylate (BuMA), a reactive plasticizer, to the formulation, allowing a decrease of the final material's Tg from 197°C to 130°C by replacing 35 wt% of styrene by BuMA. These two methods allow to obtain a final conversion of 99% after 8 minutes of molding at 100°C.

Preparation and characterization of a microencapsulated flame retardant and its flame-retardant mechanism in unsaturated polyester resins

To obtain a novel multifunctional flame retardant material, Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) was used as the capsule material to microencapsulate diatomite/ammonium polyphosphate (Dia/APP). The novel multifunctional material Dia-APP-TPP could effectively improve the flame retardancy of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). The desired structure of Dia-APP-TPP was clearly observed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The combustion behavior, thermal property and mechanical performance of UPR/Dia-APP-TPP composites were also investigated. Incorporation of Dia-APP-TPP into UPR greatly enhanced the flame retardancy and thermal stability of the composites. Remarkably, with 20 wt% of Dia-APP-TPP, UPR-2 successfully achieved UL-94 V-0 rating and the LOI value increased from 19.2% to 26.6%. Besides, the CCT test showed that the THR value of UPR-2 decreased by 33.9% compared with that of pure UPR. The results of this study also confirmed that a novel and feasible strategy can be used to obtain a microencapsulation flame retardant.

Fe2O3 nanoparticles dispersed unsaturated polyester resin based nanocomposites: effect of gamma radiation on mechanical properties

ABSTRACTIn this work, unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix based nanocomposite was fabricated using synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticle as reinforcement and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as curing agent by solution casting method. The Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel method and the formation of nanoparticle was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, Energy dispersive spectrometry analysis. Interactions between metal oxide nanoparticles and polymer molecules in fabricated nanocomposite were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis. Pure UPR and Fe2O3/UPR composite were irradiated with various gamma radiation doses (0–15 kGy). At the 0 kGy (without radiation), the nanoparticles loaded composite showed better mechanical properties (increased in tensile strength and Young’s modulus and decreased in elongation) compared to that of pure UPR sheet. At the 5 kGy radiation dose, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus were further increased; whereas, the elongation was decreased in both samples.

Some Mechanical Properties of Polymer Matrix Composites Reinforced by Nano Silica Particles and Glass Fibers

This research studied the effect of nano silica particles on wear behavior test , ultimate tensile strength ,impact strength, fracture toughness and hardness shore D of specimens composite material. The hand-lay-up method is used to preparation of specimens established from unsaturated polyester resin matrix reinforcement with 4% weight fraction glass fiber (chopped / woven) mat and 1%, 3%, 5% weight fraction of nano silica particle. The nano silica particles used in this study has an average size of (less than 45nm). The results showed that the specimen (up+4% woven glass fiber+5% nano SiO2) gives better mechanical properties include ultimate tensile strength, impact strength, fracture toughness and hardness shore D (110 MPa, 13.7 K.J/m2, 18.92 MPa.m1/2, 85 shore D) respectively,when compare other specimens. The wear rate decreased from (22.5×10-4 cm3/N.m) for specimen (pure unsaturated polyester resin) to (0.18×10-4 cm3/N.m) for specimen (UP+4% woven glass fiber +5% nano SiO2) under parameter 7N (load), 15 minutes (sliding time), 2m/s (sliding speed) and (7 cm) sliding distance.

Mechanical and thermal properties improvement of unsaturated polyester resin by incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticle surface modified with titanate

Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites were obtained by the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticle surface modified with titanate in the UPR. The mechanical properties, thermal behavior, anti-ultraviolet aging properties and composite microstructure were tested. The results show that TiO2 nanoparticles have a good compatibility with the UPR matrix. When the contents of TiO2 and titanate coupling agent are 4% and 3% respectively, the impact strength, flexural strength and heat deflection temperature of the composites are 16.28 kJ m−2, 63.23 MPa, and 70.3 °C, respectively, which increase by 890.5%, 77.5% and 23.7% compared with pure UPR. The incorporation of modified TiO2 nanoparticles in the UPR enhances the anti-ultraviolet aging properties of the composites. When 4% TiO2 nanoparticles are added to the UPR, the impact strength retention rate improves by 29.8% compared with pure UPR at 60 days. Strengthening and toughening effects with the incorporation of TiO2 can be achieved by forming a flexible interface layer between the TiO2 and UPR matrix because of the higher rigidity, excellent bonding and compatibility of the TiO2.

Laboratory study on performances of bimaleimide/unsaturated polyester resin modified asphalt

Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) modified asphalt mixture has excellent high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance and water stability. However, there are still great gaps in Marshall stability and tensile strength between UPR modified asphalt mixture and epoxy modified asphalt mixture. Hence, UPR is modified by 4,4′-bismaleimi-dodiphenylmethane (BDM) and then it is used to prepare BDM/UPR modified asphalt in this paper. Then, the optimum formula of BDM/UPR modified asphalt is determined by tensile, viscosity, separation and fluorescence microscope tests. Finally, the performances of BDM/UPR modified asphalt are compared with those of epoxy modified asphalt and pure UPR modified asphalt. Results indicate that compared with pure UPR modified asphalt, the tensile strength of BDM/UPR modified asphalt is 27.2% higher, high-temperature performance is improved significantly and low-temperature performance is slightly worse, while the low-temperature performance of BDM/UPR modified asphalt is still better than that of epoxy modified asphalt. In economy, the cost of BDM/UPR modified asphalt is higher than that of pure UPR modified asphalt but it is only 0.69 times of that of epoxy modified asphalt.

Unsaturated Polyester Resin Nanocomposites Containing ZnO Modified with Oleic Acid Activated by N,N'-Carbonyldiimidazole.

Hydrophobic zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were produced through grafting aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and oleic acid (OA), which was activated by N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). The functional group containing ZnO nanoparticles were incorporated into unsaturated polyester (UP) resin, and their dispersibility in the UP matrix and effects on the properties of UP/ZnO nanocomposites were investigated. ZnO nanoparticles modified by APS and OA activated by CDI, (CDI–OA–APS–ZnO), can be homogeneously dispersed as supported by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations and had been encapsulated in the UP resin. CDI–OA–APS–ZnO nanoparticles were embedded in the net structure of the UP composites through chemical bonds between oleic acid, styrene, and polyester resin, which significantly influence the cure reaction of UP resin and the properties of UP composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles could improve the thermal stability of UP when thermal cracking temperature exceeds 365 °C. The exothermic peak and the initial temperature of cure reaction of the UP resin decreased with increasing ZnO content. The tensile strength and bending strength of UP/CDI–OA–APS–ZnO nanocomposites increased by 91.4% and 71.3% when 3 wt % CDI–OA–APS–ZnO nanoparticles was added into the composites, respectively, compared with pure UP resin.

The Physico-Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Filled with Huracrepitan Pod for Wall Tiles Application

Huracrepitan pod was the fibre material used for this research and unsaturated polyester resin was used as the matrix. The huracrepitan pod was crushed with the aid of the Thomas-Willey laboratory mill machine, model 4 and was sieved using a standard sieve of 250 µm. The crushed huracrepitan pod was then soaked in a standard solution of 20% Sodium Hydroxide for 24 hours and washed with distilled water. It was later dried in the oven for an hour for final removal of moisture. I00 g of unsaturated polyester resin was reinforced with huracrepitan pod particles of filler loadings of 0 g, 10 g, 20 g, 30 g, and 40 g., while 90 g, 80 g, 70 g and 60 g of unsaturated polyester resin were reinforced with 20 g, 30 g and 40 g huracrepitan pod.The composites obtained were cut into dumbbell shapes and characterized to assess their performance. The hardness was enhanced to the maximum of 99.00 Shore A at 40% filler loading the percentage water absorption was found to be 0.3g. Pure unsaturated polyester resin recorded hardness of 94.67 Shore A, and water absorption of 0.30g and the percentage elongation optimum was found to be 15% at 40% filler loading and 2.5% at 0% filler loading. The results indicated that the use of huracrepitan pod particles as reinforcement can enhance the properties of polyester composites. It was observed that the samples with the highest filler loading absorbed more impact energy and also increased the elongation percentage. The application of Huracrepitan pod as filler in this work improved the mechanical properties of the thermosetting polymer.

Optimization of mixing process and effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on tensile properties of unsaturated polyester resin in composite materials

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were mixed with Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) using the stir method at high temperatures. The mixing temperature and hardener ratio were optimized based on compression properties and the exothermic temperature. In the experiment, 60 °C and 1 wt.% of Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) were chosen for the mixing condition and catalyst concentration, respectively. MWCNTs with different weight fractions (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 wt.%) were dispersed to investigate the effect of MWCNTs on tensile properties of the UPR, and it was found that 0.1 wt.% of MWCNTs showed the best performance in this range of fiber weight fraction due to a higher strength (42.14 %), modulus (14.33 %) and fracture strain (37.17 %) than pure UPR. The state of dispersion and arrangement of fibers were examined by a Field emission Scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) according to fracture surfaces. Similarly, the FE-SEM also showed better results with 0.1 wt.% of MWCNTs mixed in the UPR.