The Effect of Nanoclay on Shrinkage Control of Low Profile Unsaturated Polyester (UP) Resin

About 7 – 10 % volume shrinkage, is created during free radical copolymerization of unsaturated polyester resin and styrene. Volumeshrinkage causes warping, wavy surfaces, internal voids and cracks. Anti-shrinkage is essential to the UP resin and the composite materialsof UPR matrix. The addition of organically modified clay in UP/LPA systems a developed type of composite is created which leads to more effect onshrinkage control in UP/LPA system. The effect of nanoclay types on the shrinkage control of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin was investigated using density measurement method. .In this study it was found that the Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 30B can Reduce the volume shrinkage in UP/LPA system. By increasing claycontent(with varying types of Nano clay), all cured samples at 115ºC (with varying amounts of LPA) showed that the volumetric shrinkagedecreases.

Keywords:

Nanocomposites , Shrinkage control , Low Profile Unsaturated Polyester (UP) Resin , Nanoclay