Polyester-epoxy blend, mechanical properties

As with other polymers and resins, the modification of epoxy resins eliminates a number of disadvantages including brittleness, low thermal stability and high flammability to give the required properties for end applications. Considerable effort has therefore been made to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of vegetable oil-based epoxy resins. These may be grafted or blended with other flexible resins such as polyester, polyacrylate and polyurethane to improve their flexibility and other performance characteristics. 

The surface energy of fibres is closely related to the hydrophility of the fibre. Some investigations are concerned with methods to decrease hydrophility. The modification of wood-cellulose fibres with stearic acid [49] causes those fibres to become hydrophobic and improves their dispersion in PR As can be observed in jute reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites, treatment with polyvinylacetate increases the mechanical properties [50] and moisture repellence. Silane coupling agents may contribute hydrophilic properties to the interface, especially when amino-functional silanes, such as epoxies and urethane silane are used as primers for reactive polymers. The primer may supply much more amine functionality than can possibly react with the resin at the interphase. Those amines, which could not react, are hydrophilic and therefore responsible for the poor water resistance of the bonds. An effective way to use hydrophilic silanes is to blend them with hydrophobic silanes such as phenyltrimethoxysilane. Mixed siloxane primers also have an improved thermal stability, which is typical for aromatic silicones [48]. 

Starch is one of the most widely used biopolymer in biocomposites because of its low cost and versatility. A plasticizer like glycol is sometimes used to make it suitable for processing. It is also blended with other polymers like aliphatic polyesters to improve its physical and mechanical properties. Biocomposites based on starch matrices show improved properties, which are comparable to E-glass/epoxy composites. Tensile, flexural, impact, and creep properties of these biocomposites are significantly better than those of neat starch. Various biofiber surface treatments have been shown to improve the properties of starch-based biocomposites. 

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