High modulus polymers and composites from plant oils

Abstract

The synthesis of liquid molding resins derived from plant oils that are capable of curing to high modulus thermosetting polymers and composites is described in this invention. The resins described resemble the unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins presently used as the polymer matrix material in high performance glass, carbon, aramid and natural fiber reinforced composite materials. The resins disclosed herein are suitable for polymer and composite manufacture by Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), Reaction Injection Molding (RIM), Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), Seeman's Composite Resin Infusion Manufacturing Process (SCRIMP), Atmospheric Pressure Molding (APM), open mold casting, spray-up, Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) Bulk Molding Compound (BMC), filament winding, pultrusion, prepregs, lamination and compression molding. The resins in this invention are synthesized predominantly from plant--in particular, from the abundant and cheap, soybean--triglycerides with suitable comonomers and reactants that functionalize and render the plant triglyceride polymerizable. The polymerization reactions involve free radical initiated addition, condensation or ring opening polymerization. The functionalized triglycerides is used in conjunction with reactive diluents, accelerators, viscosity modifiers, cross-linking, toughening and coupling agents. The liquid resins are then mixed with initiators, catalysts and the reinforcing fibers and chain extended or cross-linked to give the final cured composite.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.