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