UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESINS FROM GLYCOLIZED WASTE PET: SYNTESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

 

G. Ramírez–Palma, L.F. Alcocer–Márquez, F.S. Alcántar-González, P. Turati-Ramírez de Arellano, M.J. Cruz–Gómez

 

 

Poly (ethylene terephthalate), PET, is a plastic which can be used after consumption to produce different kind of materials. The aim of this work is to evaluate the production of unsaturated polyester resins, UPR´s, using post-consumption PET. These UPR´s were formulated in order to obtain mechanical properties, like tensile strength, viscosity and cured properties, similar to those of commercial resins. Different glycols were used for PET depolymerization, the glycolyzed product was used to manufacture the UPR´s. Additionally, compatibility tests were carried out between styrene and the resins. It was found that a glycols mixture enhances tensile strength in the UPR castings, and that propylene glycol resins show better compatibility with styrene. Finally, curing properties of the new UPR´s were comparable to commercial resins.