Abstract

Novel unsaturated poly (ester- amide) resins (UPEAs) were prepared by the reaction between an epoxy resin, namely diglycidyl ether of bisphenol–A (DGEBA) and unsaturated aliphatic bisamic acids using a base catalyst. These UPEAs were then blended with a vinyl monomer namely, Vinyl acetate (VA) to produce a homogeneous resin syrup. The curing of these UPEAs-VA resin blends was carried out by using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator for the radical polymerization and was monitored by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The glass fibre reinforced composites (i.e. laminates) of these UPEA-VA resin blends were fabricated using the DSC data. The chemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the glass fibre composites have also been evaluated. The unreinforced cured samples of the UPEA-VA resin blends were also analyzed by thermogravimetry (TGA).