In Partial Fulfilment for the Requirements of CHE 413N

The Science and Engineering of Materials

INDIVIDUAL REPORT
POLYESTER GLASS



Submitted to:
Engr. Angelo H. Cabije

Submitted by:
Siclot, Karynne Bernardine G.


Date Submitted:
September 5, 2014




I. Introduction

Composite materials are broadly defined as those in which a binder is reinforced
with a strengthening material. One such composite which is the focus of this study is
polyester glass.
Polyester glass is a composite material made of unsaturated polyester matrix
reinforced with glass fibers. It is a specific type of fiberglass and can also be referred to as
glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). Fiberglass may also be composed of other polymer resins
such as epoxy or thermoplastics. As the topic suggests, this report will tackle fiberglass with
polyester resin.

Polyester, the resin or binder in which the glass fibers are embedded, is a functional
group for thermosetting polymers. Thermosets are highly cross-linked polymer chains that
from a three-dimensional network structure; and with that, these polymers possess good
strength, stiffness, and hardness (Askeland, 2012, p. 636). Glass fibers are embedded into a
polyester matrix in order to further increase its stiffness without significantly increasing its
density for certain applications which will be discussed later in this report.

This report aims to show an explanation of how polyester glass is made and also
present its properties, structure, and uses or applications. The report presents the details of
this particular composite in terms of materials science and engineering concepts.


II. General Properties
Each of the various components retains its identity in the composite and maintains
its characteristic structure and properties
When both glass and polymer are combined to form a composite, we obtain a
material that is
lightweight
nonconductive
high strength to weight ratio
weather resistant
cost effective






The tables below show quantitative information on polyester glass properties.







III. Atomic Model of the Structure (polyester)

A polyester is a large molecule made up of a number of individual molecules
containing ester groups, linked together. An ester group contains a carbon double bonded
to an oxygen. The carbon forms a single bond with either a single hydrogen atom or an "R"
group containing carbon and hydrogen. The same carbon atom is single bonded to an
oxygen, which forms another single bond with another "R" group. The basic diagram is: R-
CO-O-R.

IV. Structural pictures (microstructure)

Microstructure of glass fiber reinforced polyester composite.
Atomic model of polyester (polyethylene terephthalate)


The picture shows a microscopic view of polyester glass. The material is magnified
showing the rod-like glass fibers glued together in a polyester matrix.
V. Preparation/Synthesis

Polyester Resin

The polyester is formed by the condensation reaction:

The ester thus formed contains an alcohol group and an acid group, which can then
react further, forming a polymer:

Difunctional alcohols and acids react to form the ester. Then it is cured with the
monomer styrene to polymerize which is the main step in the pultrusion process.

Glass Fibers

Glass fibers are formed by extruding molten glass which is mainly made of silica into
long fibers with a diameter ranging from 4 m to 34 m. These fibers are used as is to form
the polyester glass or woven into flexible cloth for increased strength. The pattern of weave
determines the strength and weight of the glass reinforced plastic, after resin has been
added.

Pultrusion

Samples of different weaves of fiberglass: woven, chopped mat, and unidirectional


There are many industrial processes for manufacturing polyester glass. One of the
most common is pultrusion. Pultrusion is a portmanteau word, combining "pull" and
"extrusion".
It produces continuous lengths of fiberglass-reinforced plastic shapes with a constant
cross-section. With this technique, continuous fiber rovings, or tows (loose and untwisted
bundle of continuous fibers that are drawn together as parallel strands), are first
impregnated with a thermosetting resin (polyester resin for polyester glass) containing the
monomer styrene and accelerators and catalysts for curing; these are then pulled through a
steel die that performs to the desired shape and also establishes the resin/fiber ratio. The
stock then passes through a curing die which is heated to initiate curing or the resin matrix.
A pulling device draws the stock through the dies (Callister, 2008, p.648).
A diagram of the pultrusion process:

1 - Continuous roll of reinforced fibers/woven fiber mat
2 - Tension roller
3 - Resin Impregnator
4 - Resin soaked fiber
5 - Die and heat source
6 - Pull mechanism
7 - Finished hardened fiber reinforced polymer

The heart of the pultrusion process is the curing die. This is the part where
solidification occurs. During this step, the resin undergoes polymerization. The polyester
resin includes a catalyst to aid it in curing or in turning it from a liquid into solid. The heat in
the curing die begins the thermosetting reaction process that cures the resin matrix. The
liquid resin undergoes cross-linking to generate polyester chains, forming a hardened,
three-dimensional network structure. The polyester resin which acts as a glue to the glass
fibers is solidified to hold the fibers together.


Other processes for the manufacture of polyester glass are gun roving (generally for
boat hulls), filament winding (for hollow cylindrical products like pipes, tubes, or posts), and
molding.


VI. Uses
With the characteristics of polyester glass especially having a high strength to weight
ratio, it can be used in a variety of applications such as the manufacture of boat hulls, road
transport vehicle bodies, building applications (insulation), waterpark slides, furniture,
alternative for steel, and many more products.

VII. Documented Case Study

A case study was published by the civil engineering department in Technical
University of Lisbon on glass fiber-reinforced polyester entitled: Durability of glass fibre
reinforced polyester (GFRP) pultruded profiles used in civil engineering applications. The
study presented the results of experimental research on the physical, chemical, mechanical
and aesthetical changes suffered by glass fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) profiles under
accelerated exposure to moisture, temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The durability
tests conducted for the study proved the generally good behavior of GFRP under aggressive
conditions.

VIII. References
http://www.intechopen.com/books/polyester/fibre-reinforced-polyester-
composites
http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/fibre1.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8672529_chemical-composition-polyester-
resin.html
http://nzic.org.nz/ChemProcesses/polymers/10B.pdf
http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/the-making-of-glass-fiber
http://www.dcwort.co.za/polyester-glass-gpo3
http://www.moldedfiberglass.com/materials/polyester-resins
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiberglass
http://composite.about.com/od/whatsacomposite/a/Selecting-Composite-
Materials.htm
http://www.civil.ist.utl.pt/~jcorreia/Papers/ICPaper6.pdf
Askeland, D. Science and Engineering of Materials. 6
th
ed.
Callister, W. Materials Science and Engineering.