DCPD

EASY PROCESSING, GREAT SURFACE QUALITY, EXCELLENT FIBER WETTING, HIGH FILLER LOADING CAPABILITY, COST EFFICIENCY

DCPD formulations are a type of unsaturated polyesterformulationsbroadly used for making composite components. These formulations incorporate Dicyclopentadiene, besides the “regular ingredients” like maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, and glycols (e.g. monopropylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol). The benefit of using DCPD is the ability to reduce resin viscosity and/ or reduce the amount of styrene in comparison to commonly used Ortho formulations. This typically translates into better fiber wetting and increased loading capability for inorganic fillers. In addition, DCPD formulations feature lower resin shrinkage, leading to better surface quality (smoothness, gloss) of molded components.

In the manufacturing process at AOC, these ingredients are combined into an unsaturated polyester chain through a poly-condensation reaction, and then diluted with a reactive monomer (in most cases styrene) and other ingredients to make a finished resin. Our customers combine the resin with specific peroxides, so a chemical reaction is initiated between resin backbone and the styrene, transforming the liquid into a hard and durable material.

The special curing profile of DCPD formulations ensures the level of cure in the final part is very high, even for gel times of several hours. Also, surfaces cured in contact with air will cure tack free.  

Because of their versatility in performance and ease of processing, DCPD formulations are used in Hand lay-up, Spray-up, Vacuum infusion, RTM, Casting, and Pultrusion processes. Consequently, DCPD formulations are broadly used in Marine (boatbuilding), Transportation (truck components, vans, caravans), Wind (nacelles), Building & Infrastructure (bridges, profiles, façade panels,).

AOC PRODUCTS

AOC has a broad range of products based on DCPD resin chemistry in its portfolio sold under the Synolite™ brand name. In order to find the best product for your application, please check out the Product Selector on this web site. You can contact an AOC Technical Service representative for helping you in this process (inquiry.world@AOC.com).

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please check out case studies on Nautivela (sailing boats) and on FiberCore (composite lock gates).