Polyester Chemistry
Heat or radiation can trigger the cross linking reaction
Catalyst (or initiator) is used. Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, and cumene hydroperoxide
Accelerators (or promoters) speed up the reaction.
Inhibitors extend shelf life (hydroquinone, tertiary butyl catechol)
Condensation Reaction results in CO2 and H2O
Monomer required to polymerize, e.g., Styrene, to react with the unsaturations in the polyester molecules to form 3-D network.
- Styrene at 30% to 50% in commercial polyester systems for polyester
- vinyl toluene for vinyl ester resins
- methyl methacrylate