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: 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: 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.