The Effect of Different Co-promoters on the Gel Time and Mechanical Properties of Commercial Unsaturated Polyester Resin at Room Temperature

A comparative study has been carried out on the effect of different Co-promoter on gel time and mechanical properties of commercial Ortho-unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Due to the widespread use of this type of resins in the industry such as manufacture of composite parts including glass fiber, artificial marble, construction panels, boat manufacture, electrical equipment, hygienic panels such as bathing – tub, body of the car production, tanks and decorative statue, it is important to set resin gel time inorder to obtain a better final product. For this purpose, we measured time of gelation ofUPRunder the standard ASTM D2471-99 andits tensile test according to standard ASTM D638.The room temperature initiator Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide as initiator, Cobalt(II) naphthenate as promoter and different co-promoter such as Ethyl acetoacetate, Acetylacetone and etc. were studied here. According to the need and end use of UPRby using different co-promoters gel time can be adjusted