UTILIZATION OF FLY-ASH AS FILLER FOR UNSATURATED POLYESTER RESIN

Flyash is an inexpensive material that can reduce the overall cost of the composite if used as a filler for unsaturated polyester resin (PR) . Flyash-filled unsaturated polyester resin(FPR) was cast into sheets. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were de termined. Calcium carbonate-filled polyester resin(CPR) and PR were al so cast into sheets. The above-mentioned properties were determined an d a comparison was made. The filler concentration was varied from 0 to 15 wt %. it was found that FPR was inferior to CPR and PR composites with respect to tensile and flexural strengths. But FPR was found to h ave a higher flexural modulus than those of CPR and PR. FPR with 10% f lyash was found to have poor acid and solvent (benzene) resistances an d good saltwater, alkali, weathering, and freeze-thaw resistances as s een from the mechanical properties. The possible ways of improving the strength of FPR are discussed. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.