Studies on sand-unsaturated polyester composite materials

The influence of unsaturated polyester resin to sand ratios as well as gamm a-irradiation on the physico-mechanical properties of the sand-polyester co mposite has been investigated. The samples were prepared at different ratio s ranging from 5% to 30% of unsaturated polyester to sand, then subjected t o gamma-irradiated between 10 and 100 kGy. The effect on the compressive st rength, total porosity, and water absorption, in addition to infrared spect roscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were studied. The results indi cate that the compressive strength increases with the increase of unsaturat ed polyester resin and the gamma-irradiated dose, whereas the total porosit y and water absorption values were decreased. These are attributed to adhes ion between the sand and unsaturated polyester under the effect of gamma-ir radiation. Infrared spectra showed the appearance of new bands as a result of the formation of the Si-C bond. Also, TGA showed that the thermal stabil ity of the composite increases with the increase of exposure dose.