Viscosities of unsaturated polyester resins: Combining effects of prepolymer structure, resin composition, and temperature

The effects of temperatures, styrene concentration, and molecular composition of unsat-urated polyester (UP) prepolymers on the viscosity of UP-styrene systems are studied. The viscosity of UP resins follows the Arrhenius-type expression with resin temperature as well as with the styrene molar fraction of the resin. The two Arrhenius correlations can be combined into a simple dual-Arrhenius equation by combination rule. This dual-Arrhenius equation comprises pseudo viscosity parameters of styrene monomer and UP prepolymer, respectively. The pseudo viscosity parameters of styrene monomer are experimentally found constant; while those of UP prepolymer seem to be number-average molecular weight correlated rather than weight-average molecular weight correlated. The UP prepolymers having different molecular structures show different pseudo viscosity parameters due to their own molecular interaction parameters. The pseudo viscosity parameters of UP'prepolymers should be determined experimentally for the time being. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.