| Abstract: | Unsaturated polyester resins containing water were prepared through two steps: formation of a stable W/O emulsion of polyester prepolymer and subsequent polymerization of the emulsion. In this paper, conditions for formation of the resins from the W/O type emulsion and the heat-protection properties of the resulting water-containing resins are reported. The stability of the emulsions was measured, and the results are discussed in relation to the gelation time, since the polymerization of the emulsions is required to proceed faster than their disintegration. It was found that with increasing viscosity of the emulsions their stability increases and the gelation time shortens. The above requirement is fulfilled at almost all regions of emulsifier concentration where stable W/O emulsions are formed. Water-containing unsaturated polyester resins exhibit a remarkable heat-protection effect at elevated temperatures (500 and 2500°C.) in comparison with polyester resins not containing water. |
