Laboratory report

Silicone and polyester resin

Juan Sebastian Lozada Peña-5801255

Javier Santiago Fajardo Pachon-5801261
Nicolas Esteban Martinez Mendoza -5801295

Militar University of New Granada

materials laboratory
Cajica , Colombia
27/02/2023
Table of Contents

Table of Contents..................................................................................................... 2
List of Illustrations.................................................................................................... 3
Abstract ................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 5
1. Target ................................................................................................................... 6
1.1. General objective .......................................................................................... 6
1.2. Specific goal ................................................................................................... 6
2. Theoretical framework.......................................................................................... 7
2.1.Describe the different types of industrial silicones and their respective application. ............ 7
2.2. Characteristics of polyester resins ................................................................ 8
2.3. vinylester resin and epoxy resin? .................................................................. 8
2.4. Among the polyester resins we can find the most common: orthophthaltic and isophthaltic ,
preaccelerated and non- preaccelerated (virgin) See where these resins are most used and
performance .................................................. ...................................................... 10
2.5. The transformation process from liquid to solid state in a resin is by flame: ...................... 11
2.6. What factors affect the queen's cure? ........................................................... 11
3. Process ................................................................................................................... 11
3.1. Materials ......................................................................................................... 11
3.2. Procedure......................................................................................................... 12
4. Result analysis ......................................................................................................... 15
5. Conclusions ............................................................................................................. 16
6. Bibliography. ........................................................................................................... 17
 list of materials

Illustrations 1. Calcho silicon kilo ……………………………………. ……. 14

Illustrations 2. catalyzed………………………………………………. . 14
Illustrations 3 . box covered with wax ……………………..………….…..… 15
Illustrations 4 . styrene monomer …………………… ……………….… 16
Illustrations 5 . mold box construction ………….…………………….16
Illustrations6.Reagent……………………………..……………….17
 Summary

In this practice, the curing process of the hall and the silicone to make molds and models of

these two materials was completed, in this they learned to handle these two materials, as

well as the precautions that must be taken, the characteristics of resin and silicone, solutions

to problems that arose in practice were also handled, this was done in two sessions since

silicone curing lasts approximately 32 hours.

Keywords :

 Experimental report

 Polymerization reaction

 mixture

 Reagents

 exothermic reaction

 homogeneous mixture

 yellowish consistency

 Training

 versatile substances

 wide range of applications

 Consistencies of different resistances

Introduction

Polyester resins are versatile materials widely used in industry due to their excellent

mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties. They act as a matrix or continuous phase in

a variety of composite materials, such as reinforced plastics and polymer concrete, as well

as in adhesives and repair materials. The reactive curing process of these resins can be

initiated in a number of ways, including thermal and chemical catalysis, both of which

result in a free radical initiated polymerization process. With increasing demand in the

composites industry, polyester resins continue to be a popular and effective choice in a

variety of applications.
1. Objective

1.1. General objective

• Develop and apply the technique for handling molding silicones and describe

the types of silicones for the different types of industrial application.

1.2. Specific goal

• Get ready to get silicone molds for casting polyester resin or other material.

• Obtain a piece of polyester resin with specific parameters and friendly to the

environment.

• Identify the different types of silicones used industrially.

• Determine the intrinsic properties of the polyester resin such as its viscosity, density,

hardness likewise with the molding silicone such as moldability , elasticity among

others.

• • Identify the possible applications of the piece obtained within the laboratory based on

its properties.
2. Theoretical framework

Silicones are synthetic chemicals that contain silicon, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They

are polymers formed by a chain of silicon and oxygen with hydrocarbon side groups. Their

characteristic is their anti-foaming effect, and they do not tend to reduce the contact area

between water droplets and their own surface. Additionally, they have anti-adhesive

properties, making them a popular product in DIY tasks.

2.1. Characteristics of polyester resins?

Neutral Silicone: This type of silicone does not contain solvents and is characterized by its
great elasticity, making it suitable for all types of renovations in poorly ventilated areas as it
hardly emits any odor. Additionally, it is very flexible, making it perfect for sealing in
places where structural movement is possible.

Acidic or Acetic Silicone: Acetic silicone is one of the types of sealing silicone, with low
elasticity and cannot be painted over. It is ideal for outdoor use due to its properties, such as
resistance to ultraviolet rays. Additionally, it also has an antibacterial and antifungal effect
when applied in places with high humidity.

Acrylic Silicone: Acrylic silicone is ideal for sealing connection joints, which is its main
use, such as in windows, pipes, and doors. It is durable and can be used outdoors. It is also
worth noting that this type of silicone can be painted over without any issues once it is
completely dry.
2.2. Characteristics of polyester resins

The polyester resin to change its structure for a different one requires an external agent
called: mek Polyester resins are the most used due to their good value for money, they can
be combined with any type of reinforcement and almost any core.

- Adequate resistance to water and various chemical products.

- Adequate resistance to weathering and aging.
- Low cost.
- Polyesters can withstand temperatures up to 80°C.
- Polyesters have good wetting of glass fibers.
- Shrinkage is relatively low, between 4-8% during curing.
- Linear thermal expansion varies between 100-200 x 10-6 K-1

2.3 What is the characteristic of polyester

resin, vinylester resin and epoxy resin?
polyester resin
The main properties of polyester resin are:

- Hardness.
- Tensile strength.
- Torsion resistance.
- High strength/hardness ratio.
- Resistance to hydrolysis.
- thermostability .
- Excellent chemical resistance.

On the other hand, if they are stored in a cool and preferably dark place, they last several
months thanks to the help of stabilizers that are incorporated during their manufacture.
vinylester resin
Chemical resistance and physical properties superior to those of polyester resins, as well as
handling properties superior to those of epoxy and polyester resins. Excellent resistance to
fatigue. Good impregnation of reinforcements. Good adhesion to reinforcing fibers.
Corrosion resistant, even in hot water. Good resistance to fire. Laminates with high
resistance to water and aggressive chemicals. Fast curing (reduction of fiber marks on the
surface). Optimum performance is achieved when laminates are post-cured at high
temperatures (>100ºC ) . Widely used in the construction of compound molds.
epoxy resin
Epoxy resins have excellent characteristics, such as:

- High mechanical resistance

- Chemical resistance
- moisture resistance
- high temperature resistance
- High adhesive properties
- excellent electrical insulation
This makes epoxy resins ideal for manufacturing specific products for continuous industrial
and decorative flooring.
2.4. Among the polyester resins we can find
the most common: orthophthaltic and
isophthaltic , preaccelerated and non-
preaccelerated (virgin) See where these resins
are most used and
performance

Among the most common polyester resins we can find: orthophthaltic and isophthaltic ,
pre-accelerated and non- preaccelerated (virgin). See where these resins are most used and
where they perform.

orthophthalic polyester resin

Orthophthalic polyester resin is also known as general purpose polyester. This resin has a
low price in the market and is used in the fiber reinforced plastic industry. It is an
orthophthalic acid based material containing between 35% and 45% styrene. It is
commonly used in industries that do not require high strength properties and works in both
tap and salt water.

Isophthalic polyester resin

Isophthalic polyester resin is based on an improved compound, so the properties of each of

its components are superior to those of orthophthalic resin . In this way, it has a much
greater resistance when exposed to water, either common or salty, and contains between
42% and 50% styrene. It is more expensive than orthophthalic resin, but it arguably
performs better in different areas, some of which we will look at below.

Accelerated polyester resins

Accelerated resins reduce the difficulty of the operation to be performed. In addition,

because of the risk that is run according to the benefit that is expected to be obtained. Do
not forget that the catalyst must also be calculated, the other component necessary to work
the resin, while the accelerator can be included.
When handling the accelerated resin, the risk of an accident at work increases when
handling the accelerator, the resin and the catalyst, this is possible due to the misuse of the
three materials, which can cause an explosive. Previously, the accelerator must be mixed
with the resin and then the catalyst to be used must be added.

2.5. The process of transformation from liquid

to solid state in a resin is called:

Solidification

2.6. What factors affect the queen's cure?

- -The reference of the resin to be used

- -The temperature must be above 16°
- -The proportion of catalyst that is essential since the greater the catalyst, the faster it
cures
- -Humidity should be between 40 and 50% sun exposure
- the thickness of the mold increases its curing
- -When the refinery container has been uncovered, it is essential to spend it as long
as possible since it loses fundamental properties for its curing

3. Process
3.1. Materials

- vulcanized silicone or extra silicone

- Fold
- Catalyst
- Clay
- foil
- polymer release agent
 - epoxy putty
- polyester resin
- Pigment for polyester resin
- Cobalt
- Plastic cups
- styrene
- Wood plank

3.2. Procedure

In the following section we will describe the entire procedure that was carried out in the
laboratory practice as well as in detail the necessary elements to comply step by step with
the proposed objective. In the experimental procedure, the first thing that was done was to
determine the measurements of the box in which the mold was going to be inserted, which
had to be adequate to prevent the silicone from dripping or so that the mold was not taken
efficiently.

The next step to follow after taking the correct measurements of the mold box was to draw
the lines along which the cardboard box was going to be cut as follows: Once the cardboard
box containing the mold was in hand, we verified that the measurements taken from the
box, such as the base and the height, were correct to be able to insert the mold inside the
box as shown below The next step after verifying that the box was correctly measured and
was suitable to be the container for the mold was to close it mainly with silicone on its
edges so that it does not come undone when placing the mold with the silicone

Once the box was completely sealed with silicone, we waited a few minutes for it to take
hold and then we reinforced the edges with plasticine to have greater security and greater
resistance and to be sure that the box would resist the silicone and the mold, as shown in
the next image. Once the box was completely sealed and reinforced, its effectiveness was
tested by inserting the mold inside it to see if it was rigid enough to support it while the
necessary silicone was applied.

Finally, to finish the silicone process to obtain the mold, the necessary silicone was poured
into the box in such a way that it almost completely covered the mold, leaving a small
opening at the top where the mold would open to take out the original mold, below is the
way in which the silicone was poured on the mold When demolding the model taken with
the mold made, there are many errors, defects and gaps since the silicone mold was thicker
in some parts than in others
that is why when it came out of the mold it was not easily noticeable and we had to carry
out another procedure opening it in another way and being able to add the resin product to
be able to make the mold of the figure The measurements of the products used as polyester
resin 1 kilo, pigment for polyester resin 1 unit, colbate , catalyst, epoxy putty were used in
the correct quantities and that we were able to obtain a homogeneous consistency in
demoulding. When carrying out the chemical bonding procedure, he discovered that it
quickly acquires a hard consistency and tends to have a high degree heat and changes color
without the use of a pigment. At the end of generating the chemical reactions, from our
point of view, a crystalline form similar to a diamond is formed. At the end of demolding,
depending on the type of structure, we had to polish and remove some excess from the
paint palette that we created to make it more perfect.

We discovered that by using these types of materials and reactions, they not only have this
use, but we can use them to create larger pieces of containers, also using fiberglass and
other components. The mixture generates a reaction that burns the skin, so we must give it
a good use of these With the procedure carried out we have taken a great step in
manipulation, for this reason we have a clear idea of how to make a mold and we mold We
finish the piece with the help of all the mechanical instruments used in the laboratory. This
is the final result of the silicone and polyester resin laboratory, giving us a successful
process.

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4. Analysis of the result
In the second part of the laboratory we work with the dry mold, we mix the epoxy resin,
monomer styrene, cobalt and MEK in a beaker, to the mixture we also add a little paint to
give the mixture a little color. This results in a dark blue polyester resin, just like the
development of the mould, you have to be very careful with the polyester resin as it
produces an exothermic reaction. After mixing for a while, the polyester resin was placed
in the mold, the part was allowed to dry from 20 to 30 minutes, then the part was carefully
removed. When the polyester piece was removed, it was seen that it had the same shape as
the key, with the difference that it is dark blue in color and the material is much more
flexible, but hard.

In the laboratory, a respective procedure is carried out for the elaboration of the mold,
which was carried out with the mixture of silicone, styrene monomer, rubber catalyst and
cobalt. Mixing these products results in a cost effective process for the production of high
quality rubber parts and has several advantages in terms of manufacturing or finishing of
the product. Due to the extreme thermal conditions that occur in the mold, which is the
product of an exothermic reaction, and the low viscosity that this material presents, a
precise sub-volumetric filling in the mold cavity is necessary to avoid material losses.
where several factors can alter the mold of the piece to be manufactured, such as taking the
measurement of each of the dimensions of the piece, the mixing time of the mixture, can be
the cause of a possible error. In principle, the measures are taken to later proceed to the
mixture and aggregation of the substance in the respective mold. It was possible to
demonstrate how in this experiment the care in the handling of substances that are volatile
and produce exothermic reactions, the use of protection implements are essential when
making or manufacturing molds and parts based on these substances. It can be seen how
there is a relationship between the increase in added mass in the mold and how it tends to
deform more and more, where the greater the force exerted, the greater the elongation of
the spring in this particular case.
5. Conclusions
In conclusion, it is essential to handle silicone and resin with care in the process of creating

molds. The silicone should be quickly returned when it comes in contact with the catalyst to

avoid hardening, which could prevent the mold from forming correctly. The resin, on the

other hand, is a toxic material that could cause burns and poisoning if not handled with

appropriate precautions, such as using gloves, a gown, and a mask. Additionally, applying a

release agent to the molds is necessary to prevent damage to the molds. By following these

guidelines, the mold-making process can be done safely and effectively.

6. Bibliography
 Anjum, M. W., Aslam, M. S., Siddiqi, H. M., & Imran, M. (2017). Study of mechanical

properties of unsaturated polyester resin with different hardeners. Polymer-Plastics

Technology and Engineering, 56(9), 962-968.

 Arora, S., Singh, H., Singh, J., & Kaur, I. (2017). Effect of additives on mechanical

properties of unsaturated polyester resin composites: A review. Journal of Composite

Materials, 51(27),

 Chen, X., & Li, X. (2019). Thermal degradation and flame retardancy of unsaturated
polyester resin. Journal of Applied Polymer Science.