Microscopy of the morphology in low styrene emission glass fiber unsaturated polyester laminates

Low styrene emission (LSE) unsaturated polyester resins are of interest in the context of increasing environmental concerns in the society. LSE resins have been developed to decrease styrene emission during the processing of composites based on unsaturated polyesters. In this article we applied a mi croscopy methodology to study morphology effects in laminates based on LSE polyesters. The study connects to the longer term objective to improve the understanding of how additives reduce styrene emission without imparting de lamination resistance in composite laminates based on LSE polyesters. The m ajor morphology differences between laminates made from different polyester s are discussed, including birefringent layers present as an interphase bet ween different layers. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.