Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Composites Based on Unsaturated Polyester Resin and Zirconium Carbide

Abstract

The procedure for obtaining of composites based on unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), synthe-sized from waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and zirconium carbide with improved dynamical-mechanical and thermal properties is shown in this study. UPR resin, which is synthesized by catalytic depolymerization of waste PET using propylene glycol, is used as matrix for composite production. To improving the mechanical and thermal properties of UPR matrix, the nano-scaled ZrC is added in 10 wt% amounts. Homogenization of added ingredients is done using mechanical stirrer, afterwards the resulting slurry is poured into the specially prepared teflonic mold with standard dimensions. Struc-tural characteristics of UPR resin and ZrC particles are confirmed via Furier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. Examination of mechanical and rheological characteristics of composites is per-formed using tensile test measurements, Shore A hardness as well as dynamical-mechanical analysis (DMA). Thermal properties of composites are determined using UL-94 vertical test.