Abstract: This invention relates to an improved three component promoter for enhancing the cure rate of a molding compound comprising an unsaturated polyester resin and an unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith. The presence of the three component promoter system substantially enhances the cure rate of the molding compound while at the same time substantially lengthening the shelf life of the prepromoted resin. The three component system comprises a cobalt salt in the plus 2 valence state with the cobalt being present in an amount to provide from about 0.0005-0.06 parts cobalt metal per 100 parts unsaturated polyester resin (including unsaturated monomer), a copper salt, the salt being present in an amount to provide from 0.01-1.times.10.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for curing unsaturated polyester resins, preferably chemically thickened with a Group II metal oxide or hydroxide, and to the resulting product. The improvement resides in the use of an acetylacetonate ligand of cobalt III, which is mono, di, or tri-substituted with an electron withdrawing group, e.g. a nitro, phenyl or halogen atom.

Abstract: This invention relates to an accelerator composition particularly adapted for providing extended shelf life to sheet and bulk molding compound while providing for accelerated cure rates at molding temperatures. The accelerator composition comprises in combination:A cobaltic promotor selected from the group consisting of cobaltic halides, cobaltic salts of monocarboxylic acids having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, cobaltic sulfate, and cobaltic beta-diketones; andFrom about 1 to 4,500 parts, per part of cobaltic metal in said cobaltic promoter, of a coupler selected from the group consisting of oxides and hydroxides of calcium and magnesium.

Abstract: Certain quaternary ammonium salts are incorporated in unsaturated polyester thermosetting molding compositions containing peroxyketal initiators to accelerate free radical initiated curing of these compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for preparing unsaturated polyester resins which are chemically thickened with a Group II metal oxide or hydroxide and the resulting product. The improvement for extending the shelf life of said molding compound while providing for enhanced curing rates at the molding temperature comprises:Incorporating at least an effective proportion of a cobaltic promotor in said molding compound for selectively extending the shelf life of said molding compound and for providing enhanced cure rate.