Vinyl Ester Resins (VER) combine the high mechanical strength and thermal properties of epoxy resins with the rapid, room-temperature curing capabilities of unsaturated polyesters. They are the premier choice for chemical process equipment, flue gas desulfurization (FGD), marine structures, and heavy-duty FRP lining. AOC (Atlac series) and Swancor (901/907 series) are the leading global benchmarks.
Basic Information
Structural classification of Vinyl Ester Resins:
- Bisphenol-A Epoxy Vinyl Ester: Synthesized from bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether and methacrylic acid. Superior resistance to acids, alkalis, and mechanical fatigue. Examples: Atlac 382, Swancor 901.
- Novolac Epoxy Vinyl Ester: Highly crosslinked phenolic backbone delivering exceptional chemical resistance against oxidizing acids and high temperature. Examples: Atlac 430, Swancor 907.
- Urethane-Modified Vinyl Ester: Enhanced impact resistance and dynamic crack resistance. Example: Atlac 580 ACT.
Comprehensive Property Comparison Table
| Grade | Resin Type | HDT (°C) | Tensile Strength | Elongation | Corrosion Resistance Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlac 382 | Bisphenol-A Polyether | 115°C | 85 MPa | 4.5% | Strong alkalis, sodium hypochlorite, wet chlorine |
| Swancor 901 | Standard Bisphenol-A | 105°C | 80 MPa | 5.0% | Inorganic acids, salts, general chemical vessels |
| Atlac 430 | Epoxy Novolac | 150°C | 75 MPa | 2.0% | High-temperature concentrated acids & organic solvents |
| Swancor 907 | Novolac Type | 145°C | 72 MPa | 2.2% | FGD scrubbers, hot acid vapor ducts |
| Atlac 580 ACT | Urethane-Modified | 120°C | 88 MPa | 4.0% | Dynamic fatigue resistance, wind blade root inserts |
Applications and Initiator Systems
- Ambient Curing (Hand Lay-Up / Filament Winding): MEKP (Butanox LPT-IN / Akperox A50) paired with cobalt octoate promoter (NL-51P / Accelerator 383).
- High-Temperature Pultrusion & Molding: Dual-initiator combinations such as TBPEH (Trigonox 21S) + TBPB (Trigonox C).