Studies on unsaturated polyester composites for high-temperature applications

Unsaturated polyesters are widely used in a number of applications. However, they fall short in areas where high thermal stability and performance at higher temperatures are required. Previous investigations have studied the kinetics and degradation behavior of bismaleimide‐based unsaturated polyester composites. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of bismaleimide on the mechanical properties and thermal class of a bismaleimide unsaturated polyester composition. Addition of bismaleimide to the composition resulted in an increase in the thermal index of the material, thus making it useful in applications where high temperature stability is required. However, once degradation was initiated, the addition of bismaleimide had a detrimental effect on the stability of the composites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers