Abstract: A process to disperse organic microparticles/nanoparticles into non-aqueous resin medium is provided. The process includes the steps of a) preparing a resin dispersion/emulsion in water and/or solvent where the resin contains unsaturation in the polymer chain and optionally comprises an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; b) curing the resin dispersion/emulsion by adding monomer and/or initiator; and c) adding the cured dispersion/emulsion during a synthesis step of a resin medium. The amount of organic microparticles/nanoparticles in the resin medium can be about 2 to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composition comprising an unsaturated polyester polymer having at least two strained cycloolefinic double bonds and optional unstrained cycloolefinic double bonds, which can be cross-linked through a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) or combination of ROMP and cationic or free radical polymerization is provided. No styrene is used in the resin composition. The thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin composition also comprises a catalyst system for the ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and in embodiments, can further comprise one or more optional unsubstituted or substituted cycloolefin monomer containing unsaturation, an optional co-catalyst selected from a cationic initiator or free radical initiator, and optional additives. The cured resin properties can be controlled through adjusting the structure and properties of the unsaturated polyester resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermosetting compositions containing isocyanurate ring(s) prepared through chain extension of an epoxy resin (a) with carboxyl-functional oligomers (b), which are the reaction product of polyols (i) containing one or more isocyanurate ring(s) and polycarboxylic acids or their anhydrides (ii). The polyols (i) containing one or more isocyanurate ring(s) can be prepared from the reactions of tris (2-hydroxyalkyl) isocyanurates with a modifier from a caprolactone or alkylene oxide, or glycidyl ester or glycidyl ether and mixtures thereof. The epoxy-functional thermosetting compositions containing an isocyanurate ring(s) can be further reacted with unsaturated acids, preferably (meth)acrylic acid, to obtain a curable polyacrylate. Both epoxy-functional isocyanurate and acrylate-functional isocyanurate thermosetting compositions can be further modified with a polyisocyanate to produce a composition that is useful as a reactive adhesive, binder or in other applications.

Abstract: A process to disperse organic microparticles/nanoparticles into non-aqueous resin medium is provided. The process includes the steps of a) preparing a resin dispersion/emulsion in water and/or solvent where the resin contains unsaturation in the polymer chain and optionally comprises an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; b) curing the resin dispersion/emulsion by adding monomer and/or initiator; and c) adding the cured dispersion/emulsion during a synthesis step of a resin medium. The amount of organic microparticles/nanoparticles in the resin medium can be about 2 to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Low VOC thermosetting polyester acrylic resins are made by esterification of unsaturated epoxide such as glycidyl methacrylate, and a polyacid which is the half-ester formed by reacting an acid or its anhydride with a polyol is disclosed. The obtained low viscosity resin is useful for making a low or zero VOC gel coat with excellent hydrolytic and weather resistance.

Abstract: Unsaturated polyetherester resins, and processes for making them, are described which are useful for making curable thermoset resin compositions, intermediates for curable thermoset resin compositions, fiber-reinforced polymer composites, intermediates for making skin laminates for gel coated fiber-reinforced composites and gel coated polymer laminates. The unsaturated polyetherester resins are obtainable by reacting at least one acid-terminated unsaturated polyetherester resin with at least one aromatic polyol having at least one non-primary hydroxy group to produce an unsaturated polyetherester resin at least partially end-capped with an aromatic polyol. The described processes, compositions, methods and uses improve the chemical and/or water resistance of resin compositions, particularly composite materials having a gel coat.

Abstract: A slurry homogenizer. A frame having an outlet is disposed on a driving means having a rotating shaft. A waterproof plate having a first opening is disposed in the frame and on the driving means. Part of the shaft penetrates the first opening. A filter is disposed in the frame and on the plate. A first grinding pad has a second opening and is fitted on the shaft through the second opening. The first grinding pad is disposed in the frame and above the plate. A knob is fitted on the top of the shaft. The knob fixes the first grinding pad on the shaft. A cover having a pipe is disposed on the frame. A second grinding pad having a third opening is fitted on the pipe and disposed in the frame. The second grinding pad and the first grinding pad are separated by a fixed distance.

Abstract: Curable thermoset resin compositions are described which are useful for imparting water and/or solvent resistance to gel coated fiber-reinforced polymers. Those compositions contain at least 5 weight-percent of an at least partially end-capped unsaturated polyetherester resin, an unsaturated polyester resin in a specified amount having a specified range of unsaturation, about 10 to about 70 weight-percent of at least one vinyl monomer and a curing agent. Methods and intermediates for making those compositions, use of the curable thermoset resin compositions to make fiber-reinforced polymer composites and skin laminate intermediates for the same, and articles manufactured using the same are also described. These compositions, methods and uses improve the chemical and/or water resistance of resin compositions, particularly composite materials having a gel coat.

Abstract: A slurry homogenizer. A frame having an outlet is disposed on a driving means having a rotating shaft. A waterproof plate having a first opening is disposed in the frame and on the driving means. Part of the shaft penetrates the first opening. A filter is disposed in the frame and on the plate. A first grinding pad has a second opening and is fitted on the shaft through the second opening. The first grinding pad is disposed in the frame and above the plate. A knob is fitted on the top of the shaft. The knob fixes the first grinding pad on the shaft. A cover having a pipe is disposed on the frame. A second grinding pad having a third opening is fitted on the pipe and disposed in the frame. The second grinding pad and the first grinding pad are separated by a fixed distance.

Abstract: A low tack, low VOC gel coat is disclosed comprising a unsaturated polyester resin derived from maleic anhydride and up to about 30% of an organic solvent. The resin is characterized by: a viscosity of less than or equal to about 1750 cp at 70% NVM in styrene; a glass transition temperature greater than or equal to about 11° C.; and a weight average molecular weight less than or equal to about 6,050. A process for making such a gel coat is also disclosed.

Abstract: Curable thermoset resin compositions are described which are useful for imparting water and/or solvent resistance to gel coated fiber-reinforced polymers. Those compositions contain at least 5 weight-percent of an at least partially end-capped unsaturated polyetherester resin, an unsaturated polyester resin in a specified amount having a specified range of unsaturation, about 10 to about 70 weight-percent of at least one vinyl monomer and a curing agent. Methods and intermediates for making those compositions, use of the curable thermoset resin compositions to make fiber-reinforced polymer composites and skin laminate intermediates for the same, and articles manufactured using the same are also described. These compositions, methods and uses improve the chemical and/or water resistance of resin compositions, particularly composite materials having a gel coat.

Abstract: A compositon useful as an intermediate for a skin laminate and a fiber-reinforced composite comprises: (A) At least 5 wt. % of an at least partially end-capped unsaturated polyetherester wherein the end-capping compound includes a compound having at least one epoxy group; (B) an unsaturated polyester resin such that the weight ratio unsaturated polyester resin (B):polyetherester resin (A) is from about 10:90 to about 90:10; (C) from about 10 to about 70 wt. % of at least one vinyl monomer such as styrene; and (D) a curing agent such as a free radical initiator and an accelerator.

Abstract: Unsaturated polyetherester resins, and processes for making them, are described which are useful for making curable thermoset resin compositions, intermediates for curable thermoset resin compositions, fiber-reinforced composites, intermediates for making skin laminates for gel coated fiber-reinforced composites and gel coated polymer laminates. The unsaturated polyetherester resins are obtainable by reacting at least one acid-terminated unsaturated polyetherester resin with at least one aromatic polyol having at least one non-primary hydroxy group to produce an unsaturated polyetherester resin at least partially end-capped with an aromatic polyol. The described processes, compositions, methods and uses improve the chemical and/or water resistance of resin compositions, particularly composite materials having a gel coat. That improvement has special significance in outdoor and marine applications, bathtubs and shower stalls, and environments exposed to chemicals such as industrial and commercial applications.

Abstract: Unsaturated polyetherester resins, and processes for making them, are described which are useful for making curable thermoset resin compositions, intermediates for curable thermoset resin compositions, fiber-reinforced polymer composites, intermediates for making skin laminates for gel coated fiber-reinforced composites and gel coated polymer laminates. The unsaturated polyetherester resins are obtainable by reacting at least one acid-terminated unsaturated polyetherester resin with at least one aromatic polyol having at least one non-primary hydroxy group to produce an unsaturated polyetherester resin at least partially end-capped with an aromatic polyol. The described processes, compositions, methods and uses improve the chemical and/or water resistance of resin compositions, particularly composite materials having a gel coat.

Abstract: An improved two-stage process for the preparation of polyester resins is provided which involves an initial reaction of a dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid with an alkylene oxide such as ethylene or propylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst to form an oligoester reaction mixture, followed by a second stage reaction between the oligoester reaction mixture and a dibasic acid or anhydride; a first-stage catalyst is employed which has a thermal decomposition temperature substantially at or below the second-stage reaction temperature. The most preferred first-stage catalyst is benzyltriethylammonium chloride.