Mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polyester/urethane hybrid network composites

Abstract Hybrid resins of unsaturated polyester/urethane were synthesized and characterized. Both the toughness and stiffness of the polyester were improved significantly by incorporating 20 wt% urethane. Unsaturated polyester, styrene, and ethane showed good compatibility during blending and probably formed a simultaneous interpenetrating network (IPN) during polymerization. The resultant IPN morphology possessed a unique glass transition temperature. This IPN morphology not only imparted great fracture resistance to the otherwise brittle polyester, but also changed the fracture mode of new resin composites. The molecular weight of unsaturated polyesters did not have significant effect on the mechanical properties, but did exert an apparent influence on the fracture mode. During the cure process the side reaction, an amine reaction, could be suppressed addition of suitable promoter and catalyst.