Unsaturated polyester resin compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a two-component composition comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component being a pre-accelerated resin composition comprising an unsaturated polyester resin or vinyl ester resin and a copper 2+ compound, at least one N-containing organic base selected from an amine compound and/or an ammonium salt; and wherein copper is present in an amount of at least 50 ppm (relative to the primary resin system), wherein the resin composition contains less than 0.01 mmol cobalt per kg primary resin system, the resin composition has an acid value in the range of from 0.001-300 mg KOH/g of resin composition, the molecular weight of the resin containing reactive unsaturations is in the range of from 500 to 200.000 g/mole and wherein the second component comprises a peroxide compound.

1 . Two-component composition comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component being a resin composition comprising an unsaturated polyester resin or vinyl ester resin, a copper 2+  compound, at least one N-containing organic base selected from an amine compound and/or an ammonium salt; wherein the amine compound having the following formula: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       and the ammonium salt having the following formula R 1 R 2 R 3 N + H whereby R 1 , R 2  and R 3 each individually may represent hydrogen (H), C 1 -C 20  alkyl, C 5 -C 20  cycloalkyl or C 7 -C 20  alkylaryl, that each optionally may contain one or more hetero-atoms (e.g. oxygen, phosphor or sulphur atoms) and/or substituents and a ring may be present between R 1  and R 2 , R 2  and R 3  and/or R 1  and R 3 , which may contain heteroatoms and 
       wherein copper is present in an amount of at least 50 ppm (relative to the primary resin system), wherein the resin composition contains less than 0.01 mmol cobalt per kg primary resin system, the resin composition has an acid value in the range of from 0.001-300 mg KOH/g of resin composition, the molecular weight of the resin containing reactive unsaturations is in the range of from 500 to 200.000 g/mole; and wherein the second component comprises a peroxide compound. 
     
   
   
       2 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the copper compound is a copper carboxylate or a copper acetoacetate. 
   
   
       3 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the copper is present in an amount of at least 100 ppm (relative to the primary resin system). 
   
   
       4 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that R 1 , R 2  and R 3 are hydrogen. 
   
   
       5 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that R 1 , R 2  and R 3 each individually may represent a C 1 -C 20  alkyl. 
   
   
       6 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of R 1 , R 2  and R 3  is an alkyl-O—R 4  group, whereby R 4  is hydrogen, a C 1 -C 20  alkyl group or a ring is present between R 4  and at least one of the other R groups. 
   
   
       7 . Two-component composition according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the —O—R 4  group is in the R-position with respect to the nitrogen atom. 
   
   
       8 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the amount of the N-containing organic base is from 0.05 to 5% by weight, calculated on the total weight of the primary resin system. 
   
   
       9 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that molar ratio between the copper and the basic functionality of the base is from 40:1 to 1:125. 
   
   
       10 . Two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the resin composition also contains a radical inhibitor, preferably chosen from the group of phenolic compounds, stable radicals, catechols and/or phenothiazines. 
   
   
       11 . Cured structural parts obtained by curing a two-component composition according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       12 . Process for radically curing a two-component composition according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the curing is effected in the absence of cobalt. 
   
   
       13 . Process according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the peroxide is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, perethers and perketones, and preferably is methylethylketone peroxide.