Mechanical Properties of Graphite Filled Unsaturated Polyester and Unsaturated Polyester/Palm Oil Blend Resin

摘要

This research is aimed to investigate the effect of graphite loadings in unsaturated polyester (UPE)/acrylated epoxidized palm oil (AEPO) blend resin. The modification of epoxidized palm oil (EPO) to AEPO was carried out using acrylation process and further blended with synthetic UPE resin. Graphite powder was added at 0.03, 0.05 and 0.1 phr into the neat UPE and UPE/AEPO blend resin further cured in an oven at 100 °C and 160 °C. FTIR spectrums showed the disappearance of oxirane ring and existence of carbon double bond indicating successful of AEPO synthesis process. Tensile and Izod impact test revealed that graphite showed different effects to neat UPE and UPE/AEPO blend resin. In neat UPE, graphite significantly improved the stiffness properties at 0.1 phr additions. However, in UPE/AEPO blend resin, the toughness properties were improved with increased graphite loadings.