The effects of a thermoplastic polyester preform binder on vinyl ester resin

This study characterizes and evaluates the effects of a thermoplastic polyester preform binder on a thermosetting vinyl ester resin. It was observed that the binder material is soluble in the resin and that the dissolution of the binder drastically affects the viscosity of the resin. It was determined that the binder can significantly delay the gel time, and influence the reaction kinetics of the resin. Additionally, results show that the binder concentration and extent of dissolution affect the mechanical and thermophysical properties of the resin. Higher binder concentrations and larger dissolution times resulted in increased tensile Strengths, elongations, and glass transition temperatures of the matrix resin. In order to characterize binder dissolution times, an experimental technique was introduced in which the binder dissolution is correlated to increases in the resin viscosity. The results from this study quantify the affects of thermoplastic polyester binders on vinyl ester resin and provide the basis for refining the processing window of composite laminates using preform binders.