Polyester resins as a matrix material

Polyester resins as a matrix material in advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)... 

A polyester resin P-43 (Rohm and Haas) was selected as a matrix material. The glass fiber reinforcement was in the form of a chopped strand mat (M 700) weighing 1 Vz oz/sq ft bonded together with a high solubility polyester resin. The chopped fibers were about 2 in. long and the fiber diameter was about 0.0004 in. 

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are composed of fibres and matrices, which are bonded through the interface to ensure that the composite system as a whole gives satisfactory performance. Part 1 deals with FRP composite matrix materials which provide the foundation for composite materials. Chapter 2 reviews the chemistry of phenolic resins together with their mechanical and thermal properties. Chapter 3 discusses polyester thermoset resins as matrix materials. An overview of the chemistry of vinylester resins, together with their mechanical and chemical properties, as well as their use as a matrix material in the construction industry, is provided in Chapter 4. The final chapter in Part 1 begins with a review of the epoxy resins commonly available on the market, and then focuses on the principal characteristics of epoxy resin composite systems and their practical applications. 

In most applications, polyester and vinyl ester resins are used as the matrix materials. Epoxies are also used, although they require longer cure times and do not release easily from the pultrusion dies. Hence, thermosetting resins are most commonly used with pultrusion, although some high-performance thermoplastics such as PEEK and polysulfone can also be accommodated. In addition to the resin, the resin bath may contain a curing agent (initiator, cf. Section 3.3.1.2), colorants, ultraviolet stabilizer, and fire retardant. 

Polyester resins are frequently used as binders in various composites. Therefore it is necessary to know the effects of solid fillers or reinforcing fibers on the properties of a material. Systematic investigations66 that all the main effects observed when a filler is introduced into a low-viscosity matrix also occur with polyester resins. As was shown in many cases the presence of a filler leads to a... 

The materials tested were mainly unidirectional and bidirectional satin cloth laminate. Unsaturated polyester resin was used as a matrix. The tensile strength ratio of longitudinal fiber to transverse fiber was... 

Polyester - Available as a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. Thermosetting - used for the matrix phase of composite materials. Thermoplastic - base polymer for hot-melt adhesives often a copolymer. 

Reinforced plastics a wide range of products produced from reinforcing fibre (notably glass, but others such as asbestos and carbon fibres, etc, are used) and synthetic resin (called a matrix ). Both thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers are used as a matrix. Unsaturated polyester resins are still usually looked upon as the major matrix material, but many other plastics can be and are used extremely successfully (the best known being nylon). 

Phenohc resins (qv), once a popular matrix material for composite materials, have in recent years been superseded by polyesters and epoxies. Nevertheless, phenohc resins stiU find considerable use in appHcations where high temperature stabiHty and fire resistance are of paramount importance. Typical examples of the use of phenoHc resins in the marine industry include internal bulkheads, decks, and certain finishings. The curing process involves significant production of water, often resulting in the formation of voids within the volume of the material. Further, the fact that phenoHcs are prone to absorb water in humid or aqueous conditions somewhat limits their widespread appHcation. PhenoHc resins are also used as the adhesive in plywood, and phenohc molding compounds have wide use in household appliances and in the automotive, aerospace, and electrical industries (12). 

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