The characterisation of styrene cross-linked polyester resins using swollen-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy

Abstract A range of maleic anhydride polyesters have been characterised by 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. Styrene cross-linked materials were investigated in the swollen-state using a range of organic solvents including chloroform, dichloromethane, methyl acetate and methyl ethyl ketone. The 13 C spectra were then compared with those of the uncured materials in the solution-state. The swollen-state technique allows the constituents of the polyester ester to be identified, and additional features such as end-groups are clearly visible. Initial studies suggest that good swollen-state spectra are obtained with glass fibre reinforced resins. The swollen-state spectra have also compared with solid state 13 C-NMR spectra obtained from the same materials; the two techniques are in fact complementary.