Effects of chemical composition and structure of unsaturated polyester resins on the miscibility, cured sample morphology and mechanical properties of styrene unsaturated polyester low-profile additive ternary systems: 2. Mechanical properties

The effects of three series of unsaturated polyester (UP) resins with different chemical composition or structure on the mechanical properties of three low-shrink UP resins containing thermoplastic polyurethane, poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) respectively have been investigated by an integrated approach of static phase characteristics-cured sample morphology-reaction conversion-property measurements. The three series of UP resins synthesized include: maleic anhydride (MA)-neopentyl glycol (NPG)-diethylene glycol (DEG) types, with various molar ratios of NPG and DEG; MA-1,2-propylene glycol (PG) types with and without modification by a saturated dibasic aromatic anhydride or acid, such as phthalic anhydride (PA) or isophthalic acid; and MA-PA-PG types modified by a second glycol, such as DEC, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol or NPG, to partially replace PG. Based on the Takayanagi mechanical models, the effects of glycol ratios, saturated dibasic aromatic acid modification, second glycol modification, C=C unsaturation of UP and molecular weight of UP on the mechanical properties will be discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.