Relation between volumetric changes of unsaturated polyester resin and surface finish quality of fiberglass/unsaturated polyester composite panels

• Published in: Polymer composites Vol. 32; no. 9; pp. 1473 - 1480
• Main Authors: Khoun, Loleï, Palardy, Geneviève, Hubert, Pascal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.09.2011; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; Ester polymer; Fiber reinforced material; Shrinkage; Experimental study; Mineral fiber; Transfer molding; Property processing relationship; Composite material; Thickness; Panel; Additive; Concentration effect; Unsaturated polymer; Glass fiber
• ISSN: 0272-8397; 1548-0569
• DOI: 10.1002/pc.21157

Resin dimensional changes, including cure shrinkage and thermal expansion, highly influence the surface finish quality of composite parts. Low profile additives (LPA) are commonly incorporated in unsaturated polyester (UP) resins to compensate for resin shrinkage and obtain a high quality surface finish. In this study, the dimensional change of an UP resin with different LPA contents was characterized. Both resin cure shrinkage and resin thermal expansion were measured. A simple methodology was then developed to estimate the surface finish quality of panels, manufactured by resin transfer molding (RTM), based on the prediction of part thickness variation during the process. Results show good agreement with the experimental investigations. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers