Resins for composite materials

Polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy and self-extinguishing: a range covering every production process and every service condition.

Unsaturated polyester resins: characteristics and main types

Unsaturated polyester resins are among the most widely used matrices in composites thanks to their excellent balance of mechanical performance, ease of processing and cost-effectiveness. They are used across many industries, including marine, construction, transport, plant engineering, energy and the production of fibreglass parts.

The choice of the most suitable resin depends on the required performance, the service conditions and the production process used.

Types of polyester resin

Each family meets different requirements for strength, workability and regulatory compliance.

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Orthophthalic resins

Orthophthalic resins are the most widespread type and the ideal solution for general-purpose applications. They offer good mechanical properties, ease of processing and low cost.

Good mechanical strength
Excellent workability
Fast curing

Isophthalic resins

Isophthalic resins deliver higher performance than orthophthalic resins, particularly in terms of chemical resistance, hydrolytic stability and long-term durability.

High water resistance
Improved chemical resistance
Greater toughness
Excellent ageing resistance

DCPD resins

DCPD (dicyclopentadiene) based resins are formulated to reduce shrinkage during curing and to improve certain process characteristics.

Low shrinkage
Reduced styrene emissions
Good fibre wet-out

Terephthalic resins

Terephthalic resins are an intermediate solution between isophthalic and vinyl ester resins, offering high mechanical performance and good resistance to chemicals.

High mechanical strength
Excellent chemical resistance
Good heat resistance
Excellent durability

Vinyl ester resins

Vinyl ester resins are used where high mechanical and chemical performance is required. Although they belong to a different family from conventional polyesters, they are often used in the same application sectors.

Excellent chemical resistance
High toughness
Excellent fatigue resistance
Greater impact resistance
Critical structural components

Low styrene emission (LSE) resins

LSE (Low Styrene Emission) formulations are designed to reduce volatile organic compound emissions during processing, improving working conditions and helping to comply with environmental regulations.

Reduced styrene emissions
Less odour during processing
Improved surface quality
Compatible with the main production processes

Derakane® resins

The global benchmark for corrosion-resistant composites. Thanks to their exceptional chemical resistance and reliability proven over decades of industrial use, they are used to build tanks, process equipment, scrubbers, piping and structural components for the harshest environments.

Epoxy resins

The top of the range for mechanical strength, ideal for getting the most out of carbon and aramid fibres. They require greater care in processing and in the resin/hardener ratio. Used for lamination, infusion, clear casting, filled compounds, high-temperature moulds and marble consolidation.

Self-extinguishing resins

Used in transport (aircraft, trains, ships, metro systems, buses) and in set design, where regulations require various levels of self-extinguishing performance and smoke emission. They can be unfilled or filled with flame-retardant fillers: MODAR resin filled with alumina trihydrate achieves very high classifications.

Other resin families

Derakane® resins

Derakane® resins are a global benchmark for corrosion-resistant composite materials. Thanks to their exceptional chemical resistance, high mechanical properties and reliability proven over decades of industrial use, they are widely used to build tanks, process equipment, scrubbers, piping and structural components for the harshest environments.

The different Derakane® resin families have been developed to meet specific requirements in terms of chemical resistance, service temperature and operating conditions.

Epoxy resins

Epoxy resins are the top of the range in terms of mechanical strength, ideal for getting the most out of carbon and aramid fibres. They require greater care in processing and in the resin/hardener ratio.

Main types: lamination, infusion, clear casting, filled compounds, moulds, high-temperature moulds for prepregs and thermoforming, marble impregnation and consolidation.

Self-extinguishing resins

Self-extinguishing and flame-retardant resins are generally used in transport (aircraft, trains, ships, metro systems, buses) and in set design (film, theatre, television, museums), where regulations require various levels of self-extinguishing performance and smoke emission.

Self-extinguishing resins can be unfilled or filled with flame-retardant fillers. Unfilled resins generally achieve a lower self-extinguishing and smoke emission class, while filled resins reach the highest levels: MODAR resin filled with alumina trihydrate, for example, makes it possible to produce parts with very high classifications in every sector.