The effect of free radical initiators and fillers on the cure of unsaturated polyester resins

Abstract

Abstract The heats of polymerization for two unsaturated polyester resins are presented using two free radical initiator systems. The first was 1% methyl ethyl ketone peroxide/0.2% cobalt octoate (12%) and the second was 2% benzoyl peroxide/0.2% dimethylanyline. The heats of reaction were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter under dynamic and isothermal modes. Infrared spectroscopy and exotherm peak temperature test were employed to further establish the differences between the initiators and to determine the influence of three fillers (sand, clay, and fly‐ash) on the cure reaction.