Mechanical and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Resin-Based Composites

Abstract Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR)-based polymer composites possess superior mechanical properties that can be used successfully to replace the existing metals and metal composite materials in automobile and structural applications. UPR composites display several unique characteristics including light weight, cost-effectiveness, ease of processing, low temperature during fabrication which assists in composites synthesis without damaging the mold, good specific properties, and excellent mechanical properties. Natural fiber–incorporated UPR-based composites represent a promising research area. Continuous fiber–incorporated UPR-based composites possess exceptional mechanical properties in the direction of the fiber alignment, whereas isotropic properties can be obtained using mat, woven fibers, and nonwoven fibers. On the contrary, metal and metal oxide particulate dispersed composites exhibit isotropic properties. Composites reinforced with both fiber and particulates concurrently, show a balance between stiffness and toughness.