Unsaturated polyester (UP) is a thermoset used as a matrix for fiber reinforced composites (FRC) owing to its excellent mechanical properties, light weight and low cost. However, it is highly flammable and generates a large amount of flammable smoke during burning.Phenol formaldehyde (Ph) resin displays low toxic smoke evolution and good flame retardance, but when used as matrix for FRC it suffers from brittleness and requires severe processing conditions.UP and Ph are ideal components for a blend as the strengths of one polymer mask the weaknesses of the other; however, their incompatibility can cause phase separation which is detrimental to their properties.An allyl substituted Ph was blended to UP and DMA showed that such blend displays a single glass transition temperature (Tg), thus acts as a single material. Thermal degradation was studied by Py-GCMS, Py-FTIR, TGA-FTIR. This information was used to understand the reaction mechanisms of decomposition.

Effect of functionalization of phenolic resin on curing, thermal degradation, and flammability behaviors of co-blended unsaturated polyester/phenolic resins

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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