Unsaturated Polyester Resin Matrix Research Articles

Synchronously strengthening and plasticizing of unsaturated polyester resin based on styrene-maleic anhydride oligomer

To synchronously strength and plasticize unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), maleic anhydride were directly added in the unsaturated polyester resin solution and form the styrene-maleic anhydride oligomer (SMAO) without initiation. The creating SMAO cross link with UPR by curing reaction, and the prepared UPR resin exhibit higher tensile, elongation, bending strength and higher impact strength simultaneously, 0.45, 0.36, 0.76 and 0.12 times than UPR matrix, SMAO-UPR exhibits obvious plastic fracture characteristics; The DSC result indicates that the curing degree of SMAO-UPR is 96.55% which is 1.45% lower than that of UPR; The TG result indicates that MA and St mainly form an alternating copolymer below 90°C. The SEM and DMA result indicates that SMAO improves the morphology and structure which shows plastic deformation of UPR, and there is a certain interface effect between SMAO and UPR. Compared with the traditional method of large molecular weight SMA modified UPR, this method of reinforcing UPR is better for mechanical property, easy to operate, inexpensive, and highly applicable in industrial production.

Comparison of the mechanical characteristics of biocomposites of unsaturated polyester resin with cellulose extracted from corn silk and treated corn silk

The purpose of this study is to extract cellulose from corn silk (CS) fiber and use it as a reinforcing filler in unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix. In this study, the cellulose is characterized using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), and the resulting UPR/cellulose biocomposite's mechanical properties (such as flexural and impact testing) are assessed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided strong support for mechanical rather than a chemical bond between fiber and UPR. Additionally, the sodium hydroxide treated CS in UPR biocomposite and comparing it with neat UPR. The agricultural byproduct rich in cellulose corn silk is a natural polymer known for its structural strength and UPR has garnered attention as a biopolymer with notable flexibility, making it an appealing choice for plastic product manufacturing. However, the drawback of UPR lies in its inherent deficiency in both stiffness and strength. According to the FTIR data, extracted cellulose (CS) had fewer ketone (C = O) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups than virgin cellulose. It was shown that throughout the extraction process, hemicellulose and lignin were more eliminated, producing a more pure form of cellulose. When filled in UPR, cellulose and treated CS both caused the impact strength of UPR biocomposites to drop. For both treated CS and cellulose, it was shown that the flexural modulus and flexural strength increased as the filler amount increased to a definite percentage (12%) after which it decreased. The result revealed the tensile strength and tensile modulus achieved by 0% of fiber with 48 N/mm2 and 51 N/mm2 and highest at 12% of fiber with 54.3 N/mm2 and 68.8 N/mm2 for CS + UPR. And 53.4 N/mm2 and 69.6 N/mm2 for cellulose + UPR composite,, respectively. In comparison, the flexural characteristics of UPR/cellulose were marginally inferior to those of UPR/treated CS. However, the impact resistance showed a significant improvement, particularly with a cellulose loading of 12%. Hence, cellulose presents a greater potential for composite manufacturing due to its ability to maintain the ductile properties of UPR compared to treated CS. Moreover, processed CS and cellulose both can be used as reinforcing agents in polymers to increase their strength and stiffness.

Energy absorption and impact response of ballistic resistance laminate

Abstract High-speed impact performance has significantly expanded over the past few decades. The target response based on the impact conditions has been more difficult to visualise and evaluate. In this article, Ansys model analysis has been used to measure, visualise, and predict the projectile and target responses of Kevlar® (K) and Ramie® textile-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UP) matrix. The laminate thickness threshold was detected experimentally based on the highest stress intensity factor and energy release rates. Furthermore, tensile strength and bending of the laminate were found. The impact conditions have a significant impact on the target response; thus, an explicit dynamic analysis was used to visualise the impact response based on the number of target fixed supports (FSs). Two FS (2 FS) target absorbs 11% more energy than four FS (4 FS) target. Additionally, the target size has a major effect on the projectile and laminate responses, and a successful arrest of the projectile was detected in both cases. The smallest targets with 2 FS have the highest and wider response, where a successful change in the projectile trajectory was obtained.

Fabrication and characterization of sustainable composites from animal fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester resin

The research involves developing eco-friendly polymer composites by combining synthetic unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) with treated and untreated leather fibers (LF), cow hair fibers (CHF), and chicken feather fibers (CFF). By using these natural fibers instead of synthetic polymer, we aim to reduce the environmental impact while finding new purposes for waste materials from the poultry and tannery industries which would otherwise end up in garbage. The fibers were incorporated into the resin matrix at various weight percentages such as 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 % (w/w). Additionally, the properties of composites were improved by the addition of different types of inorganic nanoparticles, like CaCO3, Al2O3, and ZnO to the UPR matrix. These composites where inorganic materials were added as filler revealed better results than the neat composites. The composites showed the maximum overall mechanical properties in the bending modulus (BM), bending strength (BS), tensile modulus (TM), and tensile strength (TS) when 5 % of cow hair and chicken feather mixed fiber was used and ZnO was added as filler compared to the other composites. The highest values 4400.415, 68.91, 1788.74, and 34.95 N/mm2 of BM, BS, TM, and TS respectively, were found for the CFF + CHF + UPR + ZnO composite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) supported mechanical rather than chemical connections between fiber and UPR. Ionizing gamma radiation-modified fiber exhibited superior tensile characteristics when 5 % of cow hair and chicken feather mixed fiber was used.

Fabrication and Characterization of a Bioscaffold Using Hydroxyapatite and Unsaturated Polyester Resin.

Outstanding biodegradability and biocompatibility are attributes associated with particular polyester substances that make this group useful in specific biomedical fields. To assess the potential as a biomaterial, a novel composite consisting of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) was developed in this work. Using a hand-lay-up technique, various percentages (50, 40, 30, 20, and 10%) of HAp were reinforced into the UPR matrix to fabricate composite materials out of glass sheets. Prior to processing of the composite samples, hydroxyapatite was chemically synthesized in a wet chemical manner. Using a universal testing machine (UTM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), the fabricated samples were characterized. The crystallographic parameters of synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAp) were also estimated through a range of formulas. The optimal amount for hydroxyapatite was 40% according to the findings of the tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), percentage of elongation at break (EB), bending strength (BS), and bending modulus (BM). Improvements in TS, TM, BS, and BM for the ideal combination were 39.39, 9.21, 912.05, and 259.96%, in each case, over the controlled one. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has been implemented to determine the degradation temperature of the fabricated composites up to 600 °C.

PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBRE REINFORCED IN UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESIN FILLED WITH CALCIUM CARBONATE

Using natural fibres is often recommended as polymer composite materials owing to their potential to reduce the pollution of synthetic material waste. This study aimed to obtain the physical properties of unsaturated polyester resin matrix composite containing calcium carbonate fillers of 15 and 30 parts per hundred weights of the resin and natural pineapple leaf fibre of the amount 20% and 30% of the composite weight. The composite samples were three millimetres thick, with the pineapple leaf fibres arranged in one longitudinal direction. Some parameters observed included density, water absorption, response to fire, hardness, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact strength. The results showed that adding calcium carbonate filler into the matrix increased the density, water absorption, hardness, and modulus of elasticity of the composite. However, it reduced the flame propagation rate, tensile strength, and impact strength. Also, the use of pineapple leaf fibre contributed to increased water absorption, rate of flame propagation, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact strength of the composite, but it reduced the density and hardness. As these samples use economical materials, they are likely valuable for building materials that do not require high mechanical properties, especially guttering materials.

Strength analysis of marine biaxial warp-knitted glass fabrics as composite laminations for ship material

Abstract Fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP) composite materials for ships that are widely used are marine-grade unsaturated polyester resin matrix and combimat fiber, a combination of marine-grade chopped strand mat (CSM) and woven roving (WR) fibers. Although less popular than marine CSM–WR, marine biaxial warp-knitted glass fabrics have the potential to be applied as fiber laminates for ship hull materials. A comparative study of tensile and bending strength between marine CSM–WR composite and marine CSM–biaxial composite had been conducted. All composites met the criteria of the Indonesian Classification Bureau. Specifically, the CSM–biaxial had higher tensile and flexural strength with fewer laminations than the CSM–WR. Laminate type II had the highest average normalized tensile and flexural strength, 186.1 and 319.2 MPa. A layer of biaxial fiberglass had a very significant effect on tensile and flexural strength. Besides its strength, fewer type II laminations can speed up the production process of FRP ship hulls. Furthermore, the CSM–biaxial composite had relatively high normalized flexural strength compared to other references. However, the normalized tensile strength achieved in this study was at an intermediate level compared to other references.

Effect of alkali-treated Moringa oleifera fruit husk fibre/SiC nanoparticle reinforced polymer composites

Composite industries use natural fibre as a sustainable resource to improve the sustainability and eco-friendliness of polymer composites. The characterization of alkali-treated Moringa oleifera fruit husk fibres (AMOFHFs) reinforced in unsaturated polyester resin matrix with varying weight percent of nano-sized silicon carbide (SiC) particles as filler material is presented in this paper. The AMOFHFs reinforced composite (AMOFHFC) specimens contain 20 wt.% AMOFHFs and nano-sized SiC particles ranging from 1 to 5 wt.% in 1 wt.% steps. The effect of wt.% variation in nano-sized SiC particles on the mechanical, morphological, tribological and water absorption behaviour of AMOFHFC specimens was thoroughly investigated. According to the findings, the AMOFHFC specimen with 4 wt.% nano-sized SiC particles as filler material has the best mechanical, tribological and water absorption properties. The hardness, tensile, flexural and impact strength of the AMOFHFC specimen with 4 wt.% nano-sized SiC particles improved by 14.86%, 23.11%, 9.6% and 23.22% respectively compared to the composite specimen without SiC nanoparticles as filler material. Similarly, the AMOFHFC specimen with 4 wt.% nano-sized SiC particles exhibited a lesser weight loss of 96.7% compared to the composite specimen without SiC nanoparticles as filler material during the Pin-on-disk experimentation which showcases its superior tribological characteristics. Furthermore, SEM images of fractured tensile AMOFHFC specimens aided in understanding the bonding nature of the AMOFHFs, SiC nanoparticles and unsaturated polyester resin matrix in the composite specimens. The findings above led us to the conclusion that AMOFHFCs with acceptable hydrophobic nature are best suited for light weight automotive and structural applications.

The effect of chicken eggshell (Gallus gallus domesticus) particle size as filler to polyester composite as motorcycle’s exhaust pipe cover material

This research was done to know the effect of chicken eggshell (Gallus gallus domesticus) powder particle size on unsaturated polyester resin mechanical properties. The eggshell was mashed and sifted to get the 50 mesh, 70 mesh, 90 mesh, 110 mesh, 130 mesh, 150 mesh, and 170 mesh particle size by using a ball mill. Then, the eggshell was mixed with an unsaturated polyester resin matrix with the ratio of 70:30 and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) catalyst as much as 1 % of the matrix mass. After that, it was pressed by using compression molding. The composite formed was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM EDX), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The physical properties of the composite were analyzed and the mechanical properties were tested. The SEM EDX result showed that the eggshell and composite were made up of Ca, C, and O, and the polyester was made up of C, O, and Si. The composite highest tensile strength and impact strength were at 150 mesh particle size of chicken eggshell powder which is 45.153 MPa and 9. 04 J/m2.

Study on the Mechanical Characteristics, Heat Resistance, and Corrosion Resistance of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Composite

In this study, the researchers aimed to broaden the applications of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites in the building field by incorporating surface-modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and reinforced chopped glass fibers within the UPR matrix. Specifically, the composites containing 4 wt.% TiO2 nanoparticles and 30 wt.% chopped glass fiber exhibited remarkable properties of 46.1 kJ/m2 in impact strength, 90.1 MPa in flexural strength, 78.8 MPa in tensile strength, and 121.5 °C in heat deflection temperature, which improve 207.5%, 80.3%, 62.5%, and 73.6%, respectively, when compared with the blank sample. Furthermore, the results of the corrosion resistance test showed that the composites performed poorly against polar organic and alkaline solutions, presented good corrosion resistance against acidic media, and behaved relatively stable in the salt solution.

Construction of bimetallic metal-organic frameworks/graphitic carbon nitride hybrids as flame retardant for unsaturated polyester resin

The use of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) as a composite material is limited by its flammability and smoke generation properties, which pose a threat to human life and public safety. To address these concerns, a Co–Cu bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) hybrids (BMCN) were synthesized via a co-precipitation method and incorporated into UPR composites. The addition of 4 wt% BMCN was found to significantly improve the fire safety of the UPR composites based on cone calorimetry tests (CCT), LOI, and UL-94 test. The results showed a decrease in peak smoke generation rate (pSPR) by 50%, peak heat release rate (pHRR) by 43.4%, and total smoke production (TSP) by 32.5%. The efficacy of BMCN in suppressing smoke and heat release was further confirmed through thermogravimetric analysis-infrared spectrometer (TG-IR) testing. The improved compatibility of BMCN with the UPR matrix also enhanced the flame retardancy and mechanical performance of the UPR composites. This study provides valuable insights into the development of g–C3N4–based flame retardants and bimetallic metal-doped flame retardants.

Influence of SiC nanoparticles on properties of alkali‐treated areca fruit husk fiber/hybrid polymer composites

AbstractThis work presents the comprehensive characterization of alkali treated areca fruit husk fiber (AAFHF) an industrial agro‐waste reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix hybrid composite with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles as filler material. Hybrid composite plates were fabricated with 40 wt% of AAFHF and diverse wt% of SiC nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 4 wt% in steps of 1 wt%. The effect of wt% of SiC nanoparticles in hybrid composite over mechanical, morphological, wear, thermal and water absorption characteristics was investigated. The findings help to conclude that a hybrid composite plate with 3 wt% filler content excels in overall properties. Meanwhile, the accumulation and meager scattering of SiC nanoparticles in composite deteriorated the functional characteristics when the wt% of filler content enhanced to 4 wt%. Also, the failure pattern and interaction between AAFHF, SiC nanoparticle and UPR were understood from the images obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the availability of functional groups, crystallite size and crystallinity index was obtained from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the optimum filler content respectively. Moreover, the achieved results suggest the suitability of the developed composite for marine and lightweight applications.

Boosting the ultraviolet shielding and thermal retardancy properties of unsaturated polyester resin by employing electrochemically exfoliated e-GO nanosheets.

In this work, a series of unsaturated polyester resin (UPRs)/electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxide (e-GO) polymer nanocomposites with different ratios of e-GO (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 wt%) were prepared via an in situ polymerization method. The surface morphology and structural and chemical properties of the original UPR and UPR/e-GO nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The positive influence of e-GO nanosheets on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and anti-UV aging performance of UPR/e-GO nanocomposites was demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The obtained results showed that the incorporation of e-GO nanosheets within the UPR matrix, despite the addition of e-GO at as low as 0.2 wt% comprehensively improves the advanced functional properties of UPR/e-GO nanocomposites as compared to the original UPR. In addition, artificial weathering testing of quartz-based artificial stone using UPR/e-GO 0.2 wt% showed excellent UV-resistant efficiency, supporting the use of e-GO nanosheets as an additive in manufacturing the industrial-scale UPRs-based artificial quartz stone samples for real outdoor applications.

Covid-19 waste facemask conundrum: A facile way of utilization through fabricating composite material with unsaturated polyester resin and evaluation of its mechanical properties

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased profusely. Among all the PPEs, face masks are the most picked ones by the mass people for protective purpose. This spawned extensive daily use of face masks and production of masks had to augment to keep up this booming demand. Such extensive use of face masks has resulted in a huge waste generation. Lack of proper disposal, waste management and waste recycling have already led this waste to pervade in the environment. In quest of finding a solution, here in this research, a composite material was fabricated utilizing waste face mask (WFM) with unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and the mechanical properties were evaluated. The composites were fabricated by incorporating 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% WFM (by weight) within the UPR matrix in the shredded form following hand lay-up technique. Tensile properties, i.e., tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM) and percentage elongation at break (% EB) as well as flexural properties, i.e., bending strength (BS) and bending modulus (BM) were evaluated for the fabricated composites. According to the results obtained, the 2% WFM loaded composites showed highest values of TS, TM, BS and BM which are 31.61 N/mm2, 1551.41 N/mm2, 66.53 N/mm2 and 4632.71 N/mm2 respectively. These values of 2% WFM loaded composite are 69.58%, 107.78%, 129.49% and 152% higher than the values of the control sample (UPR). Such results depict the successfulness of WFM's incorporation as a reinforcing material in the composite materials. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water uptake and thickness swelling tests were also carried out for the fabricated composites. FTIR of the collected WFM revealed the fiber to be of polypropylene and the existing functional groups were also identified. The SEM images confirmed the proper adhesion of WFM and UPR in terms of mechanical bonding rather than chemical bonding. Water absorption and dimension change was investigated by water uptake and thickness swelling test. To sum up, the way we have utilized WFM as a reinforcing agent in a composite material, this could be a possible solution for the face mask's waste conundrum.

Influence of surface treatment on properties of Cocos nucifera L. Var typica fiber reinforced polymer composites

AbstractNatural fibers are a powerful competitor in the polymer composite market due to their availability, sustainability, obtainability, cost, and biodegradability. The surface of natural fibers was changed to increase mechanical qualities, hydrophobicity, and bonding with polymer matrix. This study exposes the influence of several surface treatments of coconut tree peduncle fibers (CTPFs) on the thermomechanical and water absorption properties of CTPF‐reinforced polymer composites. The CTPFs were treated with sodium hydroxide, benzoyl peroxide, potassium permanganate and stearic acid at a constant 40 wt% and individually reinforced in an unsaturated polyester resin matrix containing 60 wt% CTPFs. Chemically treated CTPFs improved reinforcement‐matrix adhesion and enhanced composite mechanical characteristics. In addition, the scanning electron microscope fractographical study of stressed composite specimens shows improved reinforcement‐matrix bonding. Moreover, the treated CTPFs have a higher cellulose wt%, which improves the composites crystalline nature, hydrophobicity and thermal stability. The potassium permanganate treated CTPF composite's maximum tensile strength of 128 MPa, flexural strength of 119 MPa, impact strength of 9.9 J/cm2, hardness value of 99 HRRW and thermal stability up to 193°C make them appropriate for lightweight mobility and structural applications.

Experimentation, optimization, and predictive analysis of compressive behavior of montmorillonite nano‐clay/unsaturated polyester composites

AbstractThe effect of montmorillonite (MMT) nano‐clay as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester resin (UP) matrix composite was investigated under compression loading to explore the impact of MMT nano‐clay wt% in the compressive behavior of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite. UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples were prepared with a varied filler content of 0.5 to 3 wt% using dual‐mixing methods, which are mechanical stirring and ultrasonic agitation. Static uniaxial compression tests were conducted using cylindrical‐shaped samples to obtain the compressive behavior of the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites. The results of experimentation record a considerable improvement in compressive characteristics of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites compared to pure UP matrix. The UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples were viewed under transmission electron microscope (TEM) to know the dispersion of MMT nano‐clay in the composites. The nano‐platelets were well dispersed and intercalated in the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples below 1 wt% MMT nano‐clay loading. The optimum wt% of MMT nano‐clay in the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite for improved compressive stress at yield and modulus were noted as 0.60 and 0.61 wt% respectively. Moreover, a mathematical model using Halpin–Tsai‐Jumahat equations was utilized to predict the compressive properties of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites, which are in closer agreement with the experimental results.

Effect of a chitosan-based flame retardant with a caged structure on unsaturated polyester resin

ABSTRACT A chitosan-based flame retardant with a caged structure, chitosan maleic acid mono (1-thio-phosa-4-hydroxymethyl-2,6,7-trioxa-bicyclic [2.2.2] octan-4-methylene) ester salt (CS-MA-SPEPA), was synthesized and characterized. Cone calorimeter (CC) results indicated that the introduction of CS-MA-SPEPA into an unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix could effectively reduce the HRR, TRR, and SPR. More importantly, the incorporation of CS-MA-SPEPA suppressed the release of toxic gases (CO) from the UPR matrix. The char residues results implied that the combination of CS-MA-SPEPA into UPR increased the degree of graphitization of the matrix and made char residues intumescent and tight, which could efficiently block the exchange of oxygen and heat.

Study on Synthesis of Unsaturated Polyester Resin with Improved Characteristics and Application in Artificial Stones

The unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) used in artificial stones is a special grade, which should satisfy all technical requirements. To synthesize this UPR, the new temperature program has been established according to fuse balance polycondensation method at maximum temperature at 200oC. This temperature program showed high stability, safety, and good reproducibility. The UPR properties respond to all technical requirements. Experiment showed, the most important requirement is keeping molar ratio (-OH): (-COOH) = 1,1 : 1,0. The physico-mechanical properties of artificial stone, using synthezied UPR – PHX (Sample S1) and commercial UPR – SHCP (Sample S2) indicated that mechanical properties of S1 is higher than that of S2. FESEM images show that S1 and S2’s morphology have UPR matrix iniformly distributed in a inorganic filler without phase separation at interphase.

Flexural Properties of Surface-Modified Sisal Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Resin Composites

ABSTRACT This study includes untreated sisal fibers, fibers that had been mercerized using 0.06 M NaOH and fibers cornified at 100°C in different volume fractions used as reinforcement into a general purpose unsaturated polyester resin matrix. Untreated sisal fiber-reinforced polyester resin displayed the most significant gain in flexural strength with a Modulus of Rupture of 79.32 Mpa at 2% fiber volume fraction, which represented a 296.65% increase compared to unreinforced polyester resin. Cornified sisal fiber-reinforced polyester resin had the least significant gain in flexural strength with a maximum Modulus of Rupture of 49.71 Mpa at a 1.2% fiber volume fraction, which represented a 142.8% increase in flexural strength compared to the unreinforced polyester resin specimen. These results show that the untreated sisal fiber reinforcement could withstand the thermal effect of the exothermic curing of unsaturated polyester resin better than the surface-modified sisal fibers.

Reuse potential of functionalized thermoplastic waste as reinforcement for thermoset polymers: Mechanical properties and erosion resistance

Two types of polymer waste materials, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polycarbonate based Colombian Resin (CR-39), were used for the designing of fully recycled composite materials. Waste PET was employed for the synthesis of thermoset unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), while CR-39 was used as reinforcement in the UPR matrix. Prior to mixing, CR-39 particles were subjected to oxidation and chemical activation using acids/base and ethanol amine, respectively. The effect of the modifier type and variable loading of the activated CR-39 particles on mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties of the corresponding composites was investigated. The greatest improvement in the tensile and flexural strength of UPR resin was achieved with the composite containing 0.5 wt% of amine activated filler particles, 96.0% and 62.2%, respectively. The Arrhenius equation was used to calculate the activation energy for glass transition from dynamic mechanical properties measured at various frequencies. The activation energy of the main transition for UPR resin and composites were calculated to be 173 and 350 kJ·mol−1indicating that reinforcement results in an increase in the energy barrier to macromolecules viscoelastic relaxation. In addition, erosion resistance was studied during exposure of samples to cavitation tests. According to the obtained results, these materials can be applied in construction and mining industry.