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Reticulation Study and Molding of Unsaturated Polyester Composites

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Sophie Bistac

Institut Universitaire de Technologie, Département Science et Génie; des Matériaux 61, rue Albert Camus F.68093 Mulhouse cedex, France

J. Chem. Educ., 1999, 76 (11), p 1533

DOI: 10.1021/ed076p1533

Publication Date (Web): November 1, 1999

Abstract

This paper describes a laboratory experiment involving polyester composites, and especially sheet molding compounds (SMC), to investigate several aspects of composite science. The SMC contain an unsaturated polyester resin (blended with styrene monomer), fillers (calcium carbonate), and glass-fiber reinforcement. The mix also contains a peroxide catalyst and other additives. During the practical work, the reticulation reaction of SMC is studied by differential scanning calorimetry to optimize the conditions (temperature and time) of the molding process. The SMC are then molded by compression under a heating press. SMC composite appears to be a choice material for laboratory study because both chemistry and the molding process can be investigated.