Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7 No.

2, p 46-55, 2012
Available online at www.cheme.utm.my/mpj
CURING BEHAVIOUR AND TENSILE PROPERTIES OF UNSATURATED
POLYESTER CONTAINING VARIOUS STYRENE CONCENTRATIONS
Osman

E. A.,
1
Vakhguelt, A.,
2
Sbarski; I.,
3
Mutasher, S. A.,
4*

1
School of Engineering Computing and Sciences Swinburne University of Technology (Sarawak Campus) Jalan
Simpang Tiga, 93350, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
2
Faculty of Engineering, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay batyr ave. postal codes 010008, Astana, Republic
of Kazakhstan,
3
Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218 HAWTHORN
VIC 3122, Australia
4
Ministry of Higher Education, College of Applied Sciences- Engineering Department Postal Code: 311, P. O. Box
135 Sohar, Sultanate of Oman
Corresponding author e-mail: saadassi@gmail.com & saadj.soh@cas.edu.om

Abstract: In this paper the curing behaviour of unsaturated polyester containing different concentration of
styrene monomer has been investigated via measuring viscosity, gel time, and maximum exotherm
temperature. In addition the effect of styrene concentrations on the tensile and modulus properties of
unsaturated polyester is studied. The MEKP with different concentrations was used as initiator for curing the
unsaturated polyester and DMA curing accelerator with different ratios started with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3. The effect
of varying the level of water content on the exotherm behaviour was investigated. The results show that the
water affects the action of initiator and accelerator system. The results also show that the density and
viscosity of unsaturated polyester decline with the increase of styrene concentration. The viscosity is 219.3 cP
at 26 C for the (60%up-40%st), 98.4 cP at 26 C for the (50%up-50%st), and 39 cP at 26 C for the (40%up-
60%st). The increasing styrene concentration for certain concentration of MEKP decreases the maximum tensile
strength and tensile modulus. Besides, variation of MEKP and DMA ratio does not have any significant effect
on the mechanical properties of the material such as, maximum strength and tensile modulus. Maximum
strength and tensile modulus have the same trend for various concentration ratios of styrene.
Keywords: Unsaturated Polyester, Thermoset Properties, Curing Behaviour, Gel Time, Exotherm Temperature,
Styrene Concentration

1. INTRODUCTION
Unsaturated polyester resins are one of the most
important thermoset material used in composites
industry for the preparation of molding compounds,
laminates, coatings, and adhesives as having low cost
and good mechanical properties [1, 2]. Thermoset resin
is defined as a plastic material which is initially a liquid
monomer or oligomers or a pre-polymer, which is
cured by either application of heat or catalyst to
become an infusible and insoluble material [3].
Unsaturated polyester resins are viscous liquids
consisting of oligomeric unsaturated polyester and
polymerizable diluents (e.g. styrene or
acrylate/methacrylates), as well as polymerization
inhibitors. In fact they can be cured to give insoluble,
infusible solid plastics through a free radical curing
process [4]. Carlton Ellis found that unsaturated
polyester could be mixed with styrene, and
copolymerised into a rigid polymer. The crosslinking
reaction between unsaturated polyester resin and
styrene allows one polymer chain to connect with other
polymer chains and to produce a three dimensional
networks, which convert the resin system from a
viscous liquid into hard, thermoset solid [5, 6]. Styrene
acts both as a crosslinking agent and as a viscosity
reducer so that the resin can be processed. The
resulting material becomes solid with dramatic
increase in mechanical properties and even with the
physical and chemical properties [7]. In conventional
unsaturated polyester the styrene content varies
between (38 and 45) wt% [8]. A number of studies have
qualitatively correlated the effect of initiator(s) and
accelerator on the gel time, cure rate and exotherm
behaviour of unsaturated polyester resins. The curing
reaction is a very complicated process that is affected
by many different things, such as weather, humidity,
resin uniformity, conditions of ingredients as they are
stored, suppliers, equipment conditions, etc. [9]. The
curing behaviour of an unsaturated polyester resin was
studied by gel time and pseudo-adiabatic exotherm
measurements by Cook, et al, [10]. They concluded that
an increase in the concentrations of initiator (either
methyl ethyl ketone peroxide or acetyl acetone
peroxide) or cobalt octoate accelerator decreased the
gel time in a reciprocal fashion and increased the rate
Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 47

of polymerization. A various combinations of low- and
high-decomposition temperature initiators and dual
promoters were used to cure an unsaturated polyester
resin. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) and acetyl
acetone peroxide (AAP) solutions were used as low-
temperature initiators. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and t-
butyl perbenzoate (TBPB) were used as medium and
high-temperature decomposition initiators, respectively
[11]. The dual initiator effect on exotherm reaction
have been reported by Atta et al [12] and the overall
results shows that the dual initiator or a dual promoter
can avoid short time exothermic reactions. The
compressive properties and the curing behaviour of the
unsaturated polyester resins in the presence of Vinyl
Ester resin were investigated by Cook [13] his results
shows that increasing the cure temperature and the
vinyl ester content led to a pronounced improvement
in the compression strength and Youngs modulus.
There are some additives that make the curing reaction
go slower such as, inhibitors, styrene, filler, oxygen,
flame retardants, reinforcements, and mold heat
capacity. Mechanical properties of unsaturated
polyester with polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) as a curing
agent were studied by Hayaty and Beheshty [14]. They
found that the mechanical properties of cured resin
decrease with the increasing (PVAc). The unsaturated
polyester properties were dependent on styrene
content including the thermal stability and mechanical
properties of the unsaturated polyester reflect the
extension of phase segregation as the results explained
by Sanchez, et al. [15]. The effect of nanofillers on the
properties of unsaturated polyester had been also
investigated by Pereiram et al. [16], the results show
that incorporation of nanofillers in the resin reduces
the flexural strength of polyester resin while the
flexural modulus remains unchanged. In addition,
there is a significant reduction in the UP flammability
by incorporation of these nanofillers. Gel time and
peak exothermal temperatures were studied in term of
wt% of MEKP, accelerator, filler and glass fibers [17].
They found that the gel time increased with amount of
filler and glass fiber while decreased with amount of
catalyst as well as accelerator. This paper investigates
the rheological properties of the unsaturated polyester
containing different concentrations of styrene via
measuring viscosity, gel time, maximum exotherm
temperature and mechanical properties. In addition,
the paper discusses the curing reaction process of
unsaturated polyester by adding different weight
fraction of kenaf fiber. This is a very important stage in
processing of unsaturated polyester resin for
producing a composite product of high quality.

2. MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTS
2.1 Unsaturated Polyester
Unsaturated polyester up (60%up + 40%st), and styrene
st with density (0.909) g/cm
3
was obtained from
BORNEO INDAH SDN BHD with the properties such as
appearance (pink), density (1.12) g/cm
3
, and stability in
the dark below 25C. The unsaturated polyester
contains 50% styrene was prepared by adding 20g of
styrene to 100g from unsaturated polyester (60%up +
40%st).

2.2 Curing Agents
Methyl ethyl ketone Peroxide (MEKP) and Dimethyl
Aniline (DMA) were obtained from the same supplier
for unsaturated polyester resin and used as a catalyst
and accelerator, respectively. The properties of DMA
were as follows: the density at (20-24) C temperature -
(0.955-0.960) g/cm
3
, molecular weight - 121.18 g/mol,
and the chemical symbols - C8H11N.
2.3 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
The differential scanning calorimeter was carried out in
a TA Instruments DSC 2960, which calculates the heat
flow to and from the specimen with respect to the
temperature and time, sample weight of (5-10) mg at
heating rate of 10 C/min. There is a reference material
introduced in this method to compare the rate of heat
exchange irrespective of whether its an endothermic
or exothermic such as melting, crystallization and
curing with respect to temperature. Change in heat
capacity is also detected using this test. The testing
temperature is usually rated between atmospheric
temperatures to 1500
o
C.
2.4 Mould Design and Fabrication
Specimens have been prepared for three different
styrene content namely (60%up + 40%st), (50%up +
50%st) and (40%up + 60%st).The MEKP was added (1, 2,
3 and 4)% by volume of 100 ml of up resin, mixing
manual for 3 min and laid up in the mould for 24 hrs.
The mould should be well cleaned and dry, for this
reason, a release agent (wax) is laid up on the mould
before powering mixture. The same process is applied
to prepare the resin specimens with fixed MEKP
concentration of 1% and change the DMA volume
fraction stared from 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% by volume of
unsaturated polyester UP resin. Figure 1 shows the
mould of tensile specimens of the matrix. The mould
consists of three parts, the base part and the upper
part made form aluminium while the intermediate
gasket made from Teflon.

Figure 1: Tensile specimens mold

Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 48

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1 Viscosity Measurement
LVDV-II+Pro Viscometer Brookfield were used to
measure the viscosity of the unsaturated polyester for
different styrene concentrations at different
temperatures. A standard Griffin beaker with 600 ml
was used in the test. The experiments are start at 26 C
and raise until 50 C. Figure 2 illustrated the
distribution of the viscosity with temperature. As
expected with increasing temperature the viscosity
drops significantly. It has been observed that the
viscosity decreases with increase in styrene
concentration ratio, the results shows that the viscosity
was 219.3 cP at 26 C and 64.5cP at 50 C and the
percentage decreasing was 29.48 % for the first ratio of
(60%up +40%st), while the percentage decreasing for
the ratio of (50%up +50%st) is 64.93%, and for the last
styrene ratio of (40%up +60%st) is 61.79%.

Figure 2: Viscosity change with temperature
unsaturated polyester containing different
concentrations of styrene

3.2 Density Measurement
The styrene ratio controls the reactivity of the
unsaturated polyester and also the crosslinking density
of the final network. The styrene ratio controls the
reactivity of the unsaturated polyester and also the
crosslinking density of the final network. Figure 3
explain the density variations with the increase in
styrene concentration at 26 C. It is clear that the
density of the matrix is decreasing while the styrene
ratio was increased.
3.3 Cure Characteristics
3.3.1 Curing Time and Peak Exotherm
Temperature
The cross-linking reaction is a very important stage in
the processing of unsaturated polyester into a
composite product, also does the exotherm
temperature of cure after the completion of the
processing. The crosslinking reaction is a highly
exothermic reaction, and the temperature can increase
up to 100-200 C. Figure 4 explains clearly the
exotherm temperatures for three different styrene
ratios of unsaturated polyester. The maximum
exotherm temperature was about 156 C for the ratio
50% of styrene followed 60% at about 132.9 C and 40%
at about 128 C.

Figure 3: Density change with styrene concentration
ratio for unsaturated polyester resin

Figure 4: Curing time for different volume fraction of
unsaturated polyester with 1% MEKP

Figure 5 presents the gel time for different ratios of
unsaturated polyester containing different
concentrations of MEKP. 40% st was cure faster than
both 50%st and 60%st. This increasing in gel time is a
clear indication of increasing styrene content, which is
mean that the styrene works as dilution agent for a
certain value of MEKP.
Figure 6 presents the time-to-peak for different ratios
of unsaturated polyester containing different
concentrations of MEKP. It is clearly observed that the
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
26 30 34 38 42 46 50
Temperature (
o
C)
V
i
s
c
o
s
i
t
y

(
c
p
)
60% UP + 40% ST
50% UP + 50% ST
40% UP + 60% ST
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
1.05
1.1
1.15
40 42.5 45 47.5 50 52.5 55 57.5 60
Styrene (wt%)
D
e
n
s
i
t
y

(
g
/
c
m
3
)
Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 49

time-to-peak shows a similar behaviour with respect to
the MEKP concentration ratio. One can observe the
time-to-peak significantly changes when the styrene
concentration increases. The second effect of styrene is
its ability to act as a crosslinking agent. Therefore the
styrene makes the crosslinking to occur more quickly
and readily. This means the styrene speed up the
reaction process, although this effect is usually
observed later in the overall curing cycle. Therefore the
time-to-peak decreases when the styrene concentration
ratio increases. Generally increasing the MEKP
concentration decreases the time to peak.

Figure 5: Gel time for unsaturated polyester containing
different concentrations of styrene and MEKP ratios

Styrene work as a crosslinking agent, the free radical
can react with the styrene to form a bridge to another
polyester chain. In forming this bridge, a free radical is
created on the second polyester molecule. Heat was
evolved with each bond that is formed. From Figure 7
we also notice that 40%st produces a lower exotherm
temperature than both 50%st and 60%st. This lower
exotherm could potentially make it easier in handling
when making the composites and also possibly reduce
the shrinkage of the material [4].
DMA as accelerator effects the gel time, time to peak
and the exotherm temperature for unsaturated
polyester with different styrene concentrations. The
increasing in DMA ratio decreases both, the gel time
and time to peak. In addition, the increasing of DMA
concentration increases the exotherm temperatures
only for the first addition ratio of DMA (0.1vol %), while
the increasing was very small for the ratio of (0.2,
0.3vol %) for the same styrene concentration ratio. The
exotherm temperatures increase for different styrene
concentrations are obviously shown in Table 1. The
test results are very important for providing
information about the gel time variation during the
preparation of the composites product.

Figure 6: Time to peak for unsaturated polyester
containing different concentrations of styrene and
MEKP

Figure 7: Exotherm temperatures for unsaturated
polyester containing different concentrations of
styrene and MEKP

3.3.2 DSC Results for Different Styrene
Concentrations
The output of a DSC measurement is a plot of the
difference of heat delivered to the sample and to the
reference as a function of the sample temperature for
(60%up-40%st) unsaturated polyester resin with
1%MEKP as shown in Figure 8.. Table 2 explain the
significant changes in Tg of unsaturated polyester for
different styrene concentrations with different MEKP
and DMA concentration ratios. In the first ratio of
styrene 40% there insignificant changes with increasing
MEKP, while Tg decreases with adding 0.1vol% DMA
then started to increases with the increasing of DMA.
While for the second ratio of styrene the maximum
transition temperature is at 2vol% of MEKP and after
that stared to decrease with increasing of MEKP. The
glass transition temperature has the same trend for
DMA and the maximum is at 0.2 vol%. It is evident
that Tg measured by DSC increases as the MEKP level
increases for certain level and then decreases. Similar
results have been reported by Ross et al. [18].
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
MEKP (Vol%)
G
e
l

T
i
m
e

(
m
i
n
)
(40% UP + 60% ST)
(50% UP + 50% ST)
(60% UP + 40% ST)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
MEKP( Vol %)
T
i
m
e


(
m
i
n
)
(40% UP + 60% ST)
(50% UP + 50% ST)
(60% UP + 40% ST)
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
MEKP(Vol%)
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

(
o
C
)
(50% UP + 50% ST)
(40% UP + 60% ST)
(60% UP + 40% ST)
Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 50


Figure 8: Example of thermogram curve for DSC
Measurement, (60%UP-40%ST) unsaturated polyester
resin with 1%MEKP

3.3.3 Effect of Reinforcement on Curing Process
The polyester resin containing different ratios of
styrene were mixed at different concentrations of
MEKP at 26 C for 1 min and then mixture was poured
into a paper cup (9.5cm diameter and 9cm deep) and
weighted using weight scale. With the weight of
approximately 112.7 g it was added with 10% wt kenaf
fiber size 1mm. The temperature data was measured
by placing a thermocouple covered by aluminium foil
at the centre of isolated paper cup connected to a
digital thermometer. Stop watch was used to measure
the gel time. Table 3 clearly explains that the fiber inert
to the crosslinking reactions for one volume fraction of
MEKP as an initiator and for the unsaturated polyester
with two different volume fraction of styrene. The gel
time increases with the increasing of kenaf fiber weight
fraction. The delay in gel time due to presence of kenaf
fiber can be attributed to absorption of heat generated
in the exothermic reaction [17]. At (10 wt %) the gel
time was still the same compared to (0 wt %) but it
affected the exotherm temperature and the time to
peak. While for the (30 wt %) the curing was never
stared and the exotherm temperature reached about 35
C at time to peak about 105 min, after that it started
to decrease without any curing reaction for
(60%up+40%st). Furthermore, for the resin ratio
(50%up+50%st) the curing never started at kenaf weight
fraction of (20 wt%) while the exotherm temperature
has reached 37 C at the time to peak about 71 min
and continued for 10 min at the same temperature
before started decreasing due to heat loss to the
environment. For same (30 wt%) fiber and resin
(60%up+40%st) addition of 1% MEKP and 0.1% DMA
causes the curing process to start and complete at the
same circumstances with curing process; gel time and
time to peak were same for resin with and without
fiber. However, the exotherm was affected by decreases
in temperature from 160.5 C to 102.3 C after adding
of kenaf fiber.
Table 4 shows the minimum concentration of MEKP to
start the curing process for different kenaf fiber weight
fraction and styrene concentrations. Therefore; the
concentration ratio of MEKP increased with the
increase of fiber weight fraction.
3.3.4 The Effect of Moisture Content
The effect of varying the level of water content on the
exotherm behaviour of unsaturated polyester for 40%
styrene is shown in Figure 9. At the onset of reaction of
water with unsaturated polyester the rate of
temperature increase is almost the same, but gelation
time was increased. It is because the water slows the
reaction by absorbing the heat from the system. Gel
time was 35min for the 0% water, 38.5min for the
1vol% water, and 44 min for the 2vol% water. However,
when the concentration of water was 3vol% water the
gel time has decreased and reached 37min (2min) only
above the 0% water ratio. That means after the 2%
water concentration ratio there was no action affecting
the gel time. Otherwise it may affect the mechanical
properties. In addition, the water affected the action of
initiator and accelerator system. Bubbles appear in the
resin because the water can increase reactivity in some
peroxide system as shown in Figure 10, the first
specimen from the left side is 0vol% water, the second
is with 1vol% water, and the last one is with 2vol%
water.

Figure 9: Curing time for unsaturated polyester
(60%up+40%st) with different volume fraction of water
for 1% MEKP

Figure 10: Bubbles appear in the unsaturated polyester
after adding water
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
0 10 20 30 40 50
Time (min)
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
e

o
C
0% Water
1% Water
2% Water
3% Water
Curing Time for Unsaturated Polyester (60%up+40%st) with Different
Volue Fraction of Water (1,2,3)% with 1% MEKP
Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 51



Table 1: Effect of affected of DMA ratio concentration on cure characteristic for different ratio of styrene at 1% MEKP
at temperature surrounding 26 C
60%up + 40%st
DMA (Vol %) 0 0.1 0.2 0.3
Gel Time (min) 14 2.8 1.5 1
Time to Peak (min) 36 12.5 10 9.5
Exotherm Temperature (C) 133.4 160.5 165.1 168.1

50%up +50%st
Gel Time (min) 35 3 1.5 1
Time to Peak (min) 67.5 15 11 10
Exotherm Temperature (C) 128 190.2 192.1 191.3

40%up + 60%st
Gel Time (min) 23 2 1 0.8
Time to Peak (min) 46 11 8.5 7.5
Exotherm Temperature (C) 156 182.9 177.2 181.1

Table 2: Effect of affected of MEKP and DMA ratio concentrations on Tg Temperature for different styrene
concentrations
60%up + 40%st
MEKP (vol %) 1 2 3 4
Tg (C) 148.58 149.51 147.54 144.96
DMA (vol %) for 1vol%MEKP 0 0.1 0.2 0.3
Tg (C) 148.58 143.91 146.37 149.44

50%up +50%st
MEKP (vol %) 1 2 3 4
Tg (C) 135.35 149.51 149.11 147.39
DMA (vol %) for 1vol%MEKP 0 0.1 0.2 0.3
Tg (C) 135.35 148.66 149.96 148.47

Table 3: Affected of kenaf fiber weight fraction on curing reaction for1% MEKP
Styrene ratio % Kenaf Fiber
(wt %)
Gel Time
(min)
Peak time
(min)
Exotherm Temperature
(C)
60%up + 40%st
0 19 36 133.4
10 14 29.5 131.8
20 33 51 89.8
30 Curing never started
50%up + 50%st
0 23 46 156
10 19 45 136.3
20 Curing never started

Table 4: The effect of constant kenaf weight fraction on curing reaction for different ratio of MEKP
Styrene ratio % MEKP
(Vol %)
Gel Time
(min)
Peak Time
(min)
Exotherm Temperature
(C)
60%up + 40%st +
(30wt%) fiber
1 Curing never started
2 14 30 109.5
3 9 23 104.6
50%up + 50%st +
(20wt%) fiber
1 Curing never started
2 20 35 109.8
3 12 26 114.7



Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 46-55, 2012
3.4 Mechanical Properties
3.4.1 Tensile Test
The tensile test was performed in accordance to ASTM
(D638) specification. Four dumbbell shape (Type I)
specimens from each matrix were tested in universal-
testing machine (T-Machine), with load cell of 50KN.
The specimen was loaded in tension at a speed of 5
mm/min. An extensometer of 50 mm gage length was
mounted on the specimen for measurement of the
strain. The cross section area of specimen was
determined using a digital (caliper) Mitutoyo
micrometre. The average results from four specimens
were taken. Figure 11 shows the tensile test setup.

Figure 11: Tensile test T-Machine setup

3.4.2 The Effect of MEKP and Styrene
Concentrations on Tensile Strength
The results of mechanical properties for the resin were
calculated using Figure 12. The observed was the effect
of MEKP concentration on the tensile strength of cured
samples at a fixed (60%up + 40%st). It can be seen that
the load increases to the maximum value and then
suddenly decline as a brittle fracture was occurred in
the material. The tensile strength does not significantly
change with the increasing of MEKP ratio. In fact, the
percentage of increase between the strength for 4%
MEKP and the other ratio is less than 9% while the
other ratios are (1, 2, 3) % about (2-3) %. The mechanical
properties of the cured samples are varied from soft to
hard, depending on the molar mass of the end
grouping. A high molecular mass will give a higher
hardness, tensile and flexural strength of the final
cured material. If the molecular mass is too low, the
mechanical properties of the cured resin will be poor
[4].
Figure 13 shows the photograph of matrix specimens
after failure. It can be seen that the failures of
specimen was in the gage zone and close to centre,
which proves that the specimen fabrication was
accurate. Styrene will generally add brittleness to the
specimen, therefore the embrittlement causes
decreasing the internal stresses in the part because of
the increases in part shrinkage that occur with higher
degrees of crosslinking. In another expression the
tensile strength increases with decreasing of styrene
concentration ratio at constant MEKP concentration as
shown in Figure 14.

Figure 12: Effect of MEKP Ratio Concentration for
(60%UP+40%ST) on the Tensile Stress and Strain

Figure 13: Photograph of the failed tensile test
specimens for unsaturated polyester

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09
Strain (mm/mm)
T
e
n
s
i
l
e

S
t
r
e
s
s

(
M
P
a
)
1% MEKP
2% MEKP
3% MEKP
4% MEKP
Effect of MEKP Ratio Concentration for (60%UP+40%ST)
on the Tensile Stress and Strain
Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 53

Figure 15 illustrated the effect of styrene ratio on the
maximum strength of the unsaturated polyesters for
different ratio of MEKP. In general it was observed that
the maximum strength increases with decreasing of
styrene ratio. In the first mixture of (60%up-40%st), the
maximum strength was found at 4% MEKP, while the
maximum strength for (50%up-50%st) start to
decreased with the increasing of the initiator volume
fraction until 2vol% of MEKP. Then the maximum
strength has increased with the increase of MEKP
concentration to the optimum value at 4% MEKP.
Furthermore, the maximum strength for (40%up-60%st)
start increase with the increasing of the initiator ratio
until 3 vol% MEKP and the maximum strength decrease
with the increase of MEKP ratio.

Figure 14: Effect of styrene concentration ratio on
mechanical properties for unsaturated polyesters, 1
vol% MEKP

Figure 15: Effect of styrene concentration ratio on
maximum strength for unsaturated polyester with
different MEKP concentration

3.4.3 The Effect of MEKP and Styrene
Concentrations on Tensile Modulus
Styrene ratio has an effect on the modulus of
unsaturated polyesters for different ratio of curing
agent MEKP and explained clearly in Figure 16. In fact,
there insignificant change in modulus of elasticity with
increasing of the initiator for unsaturated polyester
mixture of (60%up-40%st), the maximum modulus was
found to be at 2vol% MEKP. For the mixture of (50%up-
50%st) the maximum modulus was found to be in
3vol% MEKP, while for (40%up-60%st) the modulus
increase with the increasing of initiator ratio until 2%.,
then the modulus start decrease with the increasing of
concentration ratio of the curing agent MEKP. This
obviously proves that the unsaturated polyester with
two different styrene concentration (60%up-40%st),
(40%up-60%st) were found to have the same trend.
Maximum tensile strength and the tensile modulus had
the same trend, both of them decreasing with the
increasing of the styrene volume fraction for the same
volume fraction of the initiator, as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 16: Effect of styrene concentration ratio on
modulus for unsaturated polyesters

3.4.4 The Effect of DMA Concentrations on Tensile
Properties
The tensile strength and modulus of cured resins for
various styrene concentrations at different DMA are
shown in Figures 18 and 19, respectively. These results
suggest that the strength for 40%st decrease with
increasing of DMA, the decreasing percentage is about
23.5%. The results also absorbed that the strength
increases for both 50%st and 60%st with increasing of
DMA, the maximum improvement is about 59.2% for
50%st while for 60%st is more than double. The modulus
has the same trends for different DMA, it is consider that
there insignificant change in modulus as can see from
the decreasing or increasing percentage as follow, 5.7%
the decreasing percentage for 40%st, 6.49% increasing
percentage for 50%st and 14.2% increasing percentage
for 60%st as Figure 19 show.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
Strain (mm/mm)
T
e
n
s
i
l
e

S
t
r
e
s
s

(
M
P
a
)
60% UP + 40% ST
50% UP +50% ST
40% UP + 60% ST
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
MEKP (Vol%)
T
e
n
s
i
l
e

M
o
d
u
l
u
s
(
G
p
a
)
60% UP + 40% ST
50% UP + 50% ST
40% UP + 60% ST
Osman, E. A. et al., Malaysian Polymer Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, p 42-55, 2012
MPJ 54

Figure 17: Distribution of modulus and maximum
tensile strength with different styrene concentrations

Figure 18: Effect of styrene concentration ratio on
maximum strength for unsaturated polyester with
different DMA concentration, 1vol% MEKP

Figure 19: Effect of styrene concentration ratio on
modulus for unsaturated polyester with different DMA
concentration, 1vol% MEKP

4. CONCLUTIONS
The conducted studies have revealed the following:
1. The physical parameters such as, viscosity and
density is decrease with the increasing of
environmental temperature and styrene
concentration.
2. The styrene ratio controls the reactivity of the
unsaturated polyester and also the
crosslinking density of the final network by
increasing the gel time, time to peak, and
exotherm temperature.
3. Maximum strength and modulus of elasticity
have the same trend for different
concentration ratios of styrene and for certain
concentration of styrene, different ratio MEKP
and DMA have a significant effect on the
maximum tensile strength, while DMA has
insignificant effect on modulus of elasticity
4. The presence of kenaf fiber usually inanimate
the crosslinking reactions, by added mass
which is absorb the heat that occurs and
delaying the gel time.
5. The moisture content in the resin effected the
curing reaction by increasing the gel time and
time to peak, while there insignificant effect on
the exotherm temperature for the same MEKP
concentration and same surrounding
temperature.
6. The glass transition temperature Tg decrease
with increasing of styrene concentration for
1vol% MEKP, beyond that there is insignificant
effect on Tg with the increasing of MEKP and
DMA.

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank everyone contributed
to this research; and Swinburne University of
Technology (SUT) for financial support.

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Styrene (Vol%)
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