Synthesis of unsaturated polyester resin - Effect of anhydride composition

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester resin has been synthesized using different proportions of phthalic anhydride and maleic anhydride for the esterification with propylene glycol. Initially, maleic anhydride was allowed to react with propylene glycol for some time before the addition of phthalic anhydride. The condensate obtained was mixed with styrene monomer to obtain at an unsaturated polyester resin formulation. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation-at-break, tensile modulus, impact strength, water absorption, toughness, and surface hardness were tested after curing the resin in appropriate molds. The results show that most of the properties are maximum at 60-70% of maleic anhydride. © 2001 VSP 2001.