Resins
Thermoset resins containing sufficient catalysts, UV stabilizers and pigments are used. This mixture creates a compound to provide the required mechanical and chemical properties.
Polyester
The unsaturated polyester resins are among the most widely used resins in composites. UP resins are colorless to slightly yellowish solutions of unsaturated polyester in a reactive solvent, usually styrene. At room temperature or by applying heat, they cure, releasing heat of reaction.
Unsaturated polyester resins are resistant to:
- aromatic hydrocarbons
- aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Oil
- Acids
- Saline solutions
- Gasoline
- Alcohols
Features:
- Optics: opaque
- Toughness: low
- Service temperature: -30 to 200°C
Vinyl ester
Vinyl ester resins are produced by reacting epoxides with methacrylic acid. With vinyl ester resins as matrix, a much higher chemical resistance is achieved for GRP profiles and GRP gratings.
Vinyl ester resins are resistant to:
- aromatic hydrocarbons
- aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Acids
- Lyes
- Alcohols
- Fat
- Oils
- Gasoline
Features:
- Optics: yellowish hue
- Toughness: low
- Service temperature: -30 to 180°C
Phenolic resins
Phenolic resins are produced by polycondensation of phenol (m-cresol) with methanal (formaldehyde).
Epoxy resins
Epoxy resins are compounds that have one or more reactive epoxy and hydroxyl groups. As a rule, they are formed from bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin by combined polyaddition and polycondensation with subsequent curing.
Epoxy resins are resistant to:
- aromatic hydrocarbons
- aliphatic hydrocarbons
- organic solvents
- Gasoline
- Oils
- Alcohols
- Saline solutions
- Acids
- Lyes
Features:
- Optics: opaque
- Toughness: low
- Service temperature: -30 to 180°C
Acrylic resins
Acrylic resins are synthetic resins produced by polymerization of acrylic acid, methyl acid and the corresponding esters.
Acrylic resins play a minor role in pultrusion. Like phenolic resins, they are generally used in areas where high fire resistance and minimal smoke emission are required.
Acrylic resins are resistant to:
- Solvent
Features:
- good fire behavior
- low smoke development
- Very weather resistant
- Optics: opaque