Phase separation during radiation crosslinking of unsaturated polyester resin

Phase separation during radiation-initiated crosslinking of unsaturated polyester resin was studied. Residual reactivity of liquid phases and gels of partially cured samples was determined by DSC. Uncured resin and liquid phases showed double reaction exotherm, gels had a single maximum that corresponded to higher-temperature maximum of liquid parts. The lower-temperature process was attributed to styrene-polyester copolymerization. At higher temperatures, polyester unsaturations that remained unreacted due to microgel formation homopolymerized. FTIR revealed different composition of phases. In thicker samples, reaction heat influenced microgel formation causing delayed appearance of gel and faster increase in conversion