Resins
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In fibre-reinforced plastic materials, the properties of the fibres are used to give stiffness and resist tensile and compressive loads, while the matrix material transfers load between fibres and bonds and holds fibres together.
Typical reinforcements that we use are carbon and glass fibres and typical resins are polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy.
In the Pultrusion process all continuous fibres can be used, however carbon and glass fibres are becoming more common.
Polyster (UPE)
Unsaturated polyester resins are the most commonly used for the composites industry. Polyester resins have a good balance of mechanical, electrical and chemical properties. The polyester resins are mainly used in glass fibre profiles.
Polyester resins can be modified so that they are flame-retardant of self-extinguishing.
The polyester resins have good chemical resistance properties. The chemical environment have to be known before a polyester or vinylester resin can be chosen. Polyester resins are good in weak alkalis and excellent in weak acid conditions.
The maximum recommended operation temperature is 80°C for the basic grade polyesters. Modified versions are also available
Vinyl esters(VE)
Vinyl ester resins combine the best features of polyester- and epoxy resins. The strength is good and the resin has a very good chemical resistance in acids and alkalis environments, especially at high temperatures. The glass fibre vinyl ester profile has good electrical and thermal insulation properties.
Epoxy based vinyl ester resins have good chemical resistance at elevated temperatures.
The maximum recommended operating temperature is 90-150°C. Modified versions are also available.
Epoxies (EP)
Epoxy resins have very good properties and are commonly used with high performance reinforcements, e.g. carbon of with glass fibres when the reinforcement content is very high.
Different specific properties can be created by changing hardener systems.
Others
Aeron can offer a wide range of other resin system for your applications. For example resin systems for very high temperatures, fire retardent systems or systems for very aggressive environments.
Resin Comparison Table
| Polyester | Vinylester | Epoxy | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Strength | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Chemicals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Electrical | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1-3 |
| (Legend: 1 = superior | 2 = Excellent | 3 = good) | ||||